In a joint effort to drive community involvement in state issues, the public policy committees for the Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene chambers of commerce are hosting a legislative forum Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Emphasizing engagement and dialogue, the forum gives business and county leaders an opportunity to prepare for upcoming laws and issues on the state’s legislative docket. Topics of discussion will include:

- industry preparedness for Medicaid expansion,

- transporation needs and funding solutions,

- long-term care implications for Kootenai County,

- Idaho’s workforce needs, and

- affordable housing.

Organizers say the forum is designed to help the two communities prepare for challenges ahead, adding that Kootenai County should be telling legislators about what is important to the area, rather than the other way around.

The chambers’ public policy committees monitor legislative action, analyze and evaluate how that legislation affects the area, then report their findings to chamber members. Post Falls Chamber Public Policy Chairman Len Crosby said his committee’s work provided an asset to the businesses the Chamber represents.

“The public policy committee had a very productive year,” Crosby said. “We expanded our partnership with the Coeur d’Alene Chamber’s public policy committee and, as a result, during this important election year, we were able to provide our members with some excellent speakers and programs.”

“It is the mission of the public policy committee to educate Chamber members about key public policy issues,” the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce says on its website, “and to represent their interests before local, state and federal governments and agencies. In keeping with this mission, the public policy committee is the Chamber committee that reviews all public policy issues and makes recommendations to the board of directors.”

The legislative forum is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway. Tickets are $20 per person and include breakfast. For information, contact the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce at 208-664-3194.