Government Affairs Committee

The Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce places a high priority on involvement in government affairs. Since elected officials are our "silent business partners," we strive to maintain a level of accountability and oversight into the activities of our elected business partners.

Each year, the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) reviews all legislation that has been submitted (typically over 1,000 bills) by legislators. As part of our review process, the Committee determines which bills merit involvement or monitoring by the Seacoast's business community. Some public policy issues require active involvement, such a oral testimony before a legislative committee, and other issues are simply monitored for the benefit of Chamber members.

The Chamber currently has the support of a professional lobbyist to assist our Committee with these efforts. Timothy Fortier, government relations advisor with the law firm of McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, PA, is providing his expertise to our Committee in the development of an organizational structure for long-term involvement in government affairs activities. He attends all our meetings and advises the members in their efforts to determine the best uses of our limited resources.

Committee co-Chairs: Howard Altschiller, Seacoast Media Group, and Patrick Closson of McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton

Committee Role

• Monitor and track numerous bills of interest during legislative session
• Identify roughly 20 bills of concern/interest to business community out of 
  1,000 bills introduced
• Analyze each bill and determine extent to which it will be supported/opposed
  

Interested in getting involved? Contact Doug Bates at dbates@portsmouthchamber.org .

Next Meetings: Held at Seacoast Media Group. 111 New Hampshire Ave. Portsmouth, NH
September 3, October 1, November 5, December 3