ENGAGING IN ADVOCACY Industry Members Help Steer Policy Direction on ORLA Government Affairs Committee
T
he Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) works hard to ensure the restaurant and lodging industry is well represented across all levels of government. As owners and operators, you know firsthand how the bills and laws our elected officials consider, or pass can have a huge impact on your business. This is why it is imperative for you to get engaged in advocacy work alongside your association. While ORLA helps educate members on the issues, we also provide members with opportunities to engage on different levels to ensure our advocacy efforts align with the industry’s need for representation. One of the most direct ways to get involved is participating in ORLA’s Government Affairs Committee which meets regularly (virtually) to discuss issues of importance to the hospitality industry in Oregon. The committee is led by two industry-member co-chairs and ORLA’s government affairs department staff. We asked our co-chairs, Treva Gambs and Nick Pearson, to share a little about their involvement and the importance of being engaged in advocacy work for the industry. Treva is the owner of Gamberetti's restaurants in Salem and Albany, and also G3 Pizzas & Burgers in Aumsville. Nick serves as General Manager at The Jupiter hotel in Portland. Why is it important for industry members to get engaged in issues impacting their business? Gambs: I feel it is very important to know and understand what our policymakers are trying to pass and why. Our policymakers do not always understand our business, how we operate, or the impact (these bills) will have on our business. This is where testimony can help enlighten and inform them of the cause and effect they may not be aware of. When a bill is passed–whether I was for it or against–I
know that our narrative may have helped or lessen the impact. Being engaged also gives us a chance to react and make the changes necessary to succeed. It has been a part of why I'm successful. I know what is coming down the pike and how to set up my companies to respond and be able to make decisions that will put me ahead of the issue. Pearson: The statewide and local issues that ORLA engages in impact our bottom line and how we run nearly every aspect of our business. But beyond that, being engaged in these issues has made me a better operator and able to make proactive decisions about upcoming legislative changes instead of always just reacting. How have you engaged in advocacy efforts in the past? Gambs: I am very fortunate that I live in Salem near our capitol. This has given me the opportunity to testify, have round tables, and deep conversations with many of our policymakers. I have met with the Governor several times in small ORLA groups. We discussed minimum wage and tip credits. Bills were passed and while I may not have liked the outcome, I know that I was heard. I have both sides of the House that dine in my restaurant, and they know and share in my struggles. I have become friends with many of them. I have phone numbers and can personally call and share my concerns. I also know that they will seek me out and ask my opinion. Pearson: My engagement before getting involved with ORLA was minimal. In late 2019 I was able to engage directly with Representative Rob Nosse of Portland on the CAT tax legislation. While the legislation had already passed, we had a good discussion about how the collection of the tax money was supposed to begin six months before the rulemaking was finalized. While nothing actionable came of that conversation, Rob was engaged and
genuinely appreciative of my feedback. Over the past two years, Rob has been quick to listen to my feedback on other issues and has reached out to me several times for my input on other pieces of legislation. It showed me elected officials really do want our engagement!
What is one issue or solution you hope to affect change in this coming year as co-chair for the Government Affairs Committee? Gambs: As I joined late (in the session), my hope is to wrap myself around what our policymakers feel is important on the agenda. I anticipate this session to be fairly tame as the elections are this year. Next year will be a new set of policymakers, which can be good, bad, or different. I want to be ready for what will come and what it will look like–who is helping small businesses, who has a strong agenda, and why? Thankfully, the larger concerns I had (this session) did not make it out of committee. Pearson: Honesty, more than any one legislative issue, I'd just like to see more hospitality industry leaders get involved with ORLA. We have the ability to really impact our industry, so finding ways that make participating in the committee easier and more engaging is where I hope to make a difference. Interested in getting involved with the Government Affairs Committee? Contact Greg Astley, Director of Government Affairs at Astley@OregonRLA.org. ORLA
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