Shape Policy in Delaware by Sharing Your Company’s Story

By James DeChene, Armitage DeChene & Associates

PERHAPS YOU’VE SEEN the videos and pictures of an elected official touring a production plant, wearing a suit and tie, with a hard hat and goggles, and wondered, “Why would they (the company, or the elected official) do that?”

I’ve had the opportunity to be on tours like that for some very interesting companies including: walking through a nuclear submarine prior to its shakedown run, learning how a pharmaceutical company combats
counterfeit versions of their products globally, seeing how a UPS facility works, touring a major fabricator of intricate (and large) metal works projects, the Nylon Mile in Seaford, and more. Each of these events gave the
attendees an in-person look at how the “sausage is made”—note, if there are any sausage making facilities in Delaware, I’d love a tour. It’s a great opportunity to see how concepts come together and make a business successful.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic eliminating in-person meetings for over a year, the State Chamber created a successful Member-to-Member program. The concept is simple, but the outcomes are important. Work with Chamber staff to set up a meeting date to host your elected official—state House/Senate member—for a lunch/coffee and tour of your facility or office. That meeting is your chance to showcase your company, employees and the work they do, provide real examples of what the impact of legislation from Dover has on Delaware companies, and to build relationships with your representatives to provide feedback in the future.

I’ve written before on the concept that employers tell their story the best—and that’s the case if you’re a small firm looking to grow or if you’re a large, multi-national firm with headquarters or other significant footprint in Delaware. The current list of legislation to be considered next year, along with what will be crafted and introduced, will most likely impact many companies across the state. These meetings are a great opportunity to help educate and provide background to decision makers.

A few examples of issues that remain pending into next year:

• HB 150: Legalization of recreational marijuana
• SB 1: Healthy Delaware Families Act, which requires employers to provide mandatory family medical leave to employees
• HB 205: Delaware EARNS Act that establishes a mandatory employee IRA savings program
• HB 256: Creates two new top personal income brackets, while combining some lower brackets
• HB 94 / HB 266: Related to tipped wages

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These Member-to-Member meetings allow you to have the conversation in a way impossible to replicate in Dover or even at a State Chamber event. For many, the “seeing is believing” line is accurate, which is why these meetings can be so successful. 

If you have an interest in hosting an meeting at your company, the easiest way to start the process is to contact Tyler Micik at [email protected]. Chamber staff will help coordinate the timing of the meeting, provide talking points on pertinent legislation, and more. The summer and fall are great times to host these meetings while legislators have some free time and are planning legislation for next year. Being a part of the conversation is important now more than ever, and the Chamber can help you tell your story.