A conversation with U.S. Chamber Midwest Regional Manager, Ethan Hellier

The interim legislative committee on Commerce met on August 12^th. The committee’s agenda included presentations on the disclosure of consumers’ personal data study, which is a mandated legislative study. Ethan Hellier, Midwest Manager of Congressional and Public Affairs from the United State Chamber provided a presentation to the committee. We sat down with Ethan to discuss the US Chamber's stance as well as his work with the Chamber.
  
GNDC: What area do you cover?
Hellier: I cover the Midwest region including North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska.

What are the big issues that the US Chamber is working on right now?
Trade and the USMCA are on top of the list right now. Others that make the list include infrastructure and healthcare. These issues are important as they are influencing everyone’s lives on a daily basis. Congress is concerned and everyone agrees that solutions are needed but the challenge remains – where are the dollars coming from that will address these issues?
 
The other issue that we are hearing about from our membership is workforce. While the US Chamber doesn’t have a stance on this particular topic, we are hearing at every level – state, regional and local chambers, that companies aren’t finding talent and the applicants that they can find don’t have the qualifications or the ability to meet the hiring requirements. We are working to understand the situation and assist with specific solutions on a national level – such as reforming our immigration system by having requirements better fit our workforce needs. We also support opportunities for workers to be retrained to better fit the 21st Century economy. We also encourage businesses to work to retain baby boomers and look to hire veterans. 
 
Today you are in ND in front of members of our legislature, where are you tomorrow?
Brookings, SD – I will be attending a luncheon where Senator Thune is presenting and having a Q&A session with his constituents. I get to ND often, in fact this is my second time this year.

Why is it important that you are here to speak about data privacy?
I’m here to provide a business view on the federal level. The US Chamber is advocating for a federal policy to be created versus a state policy. We don’t want to see the nation, or the states, bound up by a patchwork of policy creating a 50-car pile-up that impedes commerce. This would create unnecessary strain for businesses and ultimately impact the consumer experience. Currently, California has a data policy set to go into effect January 2020. They can and are making amendments to the policy until September. Other states besides North Dakota that are looking at data policy are Michigan, Connecticut, Texas and Washington. Washington had a lot of support for a policy in their House but their policy was abandoned in the Senate. We commend North Dakota on looking at this critical issue but we would like to see a uniform policy that will have continuity across borders.
 
What in your mind makes the difference between an issue demanding a federal policy versus a state policy?
There is a balance between traditional definitions – such as schools and relationships that are in place. School funding comes on a federal level but what’s taught in the schools is determined by local boards. Roads are another example. There are state roads and federal highways. When commerce or individuals begin to cross state lines – the control of the state becomes a bit more blurred resulting in a need for federal involvement and requiring federal policy. Aviation is an example that demonstrates the need for federal involvement, just like intrastate commerce.