Sen. Morrell Talks Business at Redlands Chamber

Sen. Mike Morrell answered questions about local business and the state's business regulations during the Redlands Chamber of Commerce's Business to Business networking event Tuesday, Nov. 25. A Republican, Morrell explained to the full room of local business owners and Chamber members last week that he felt citizens and businesses were "just as capable of managing their money" as government is. "We do need government, but I don't feel it should be our master," Sen. Morrell said. He answered questions about various topics including the government's role in California's water supply, educational system and small businesses. Morrell said lawfully, government has limited power. "There are 17 things that Congress can do. Half of those are for national defense and the other half is for infrastructure. Roads, infrastructure and water, those are the the things that we should (focus on) so that we can make money," said Morrell. "The Romans were so powerful because they build roads so quickly. They were able to move commerce." Morrell also brought up a recent Forbes survey where CEOs were asked which state they'd most like to live in. The answer, explained Morrell, was California. "We have good weather. You can go skiing in Big Bear, be at Newport Beach in an hour, then go play golf in Palm Springs in another hour. We have the San Joaquin Valley that produces enough agriculture for the nation and we have the Silicon Valley for technology. But when these CEOs were asked where they most would want to do business, California came in last place. That's a problem," said Morrell. Businesses, young professionals and older middle class individuals are leaving the state for others that are less regulated and taxed, Morrell said. "In California you have two competing ideologies: Progressivism versus the free market... Historically, as government expands, liberty contracts. That's fearful for me because I don't want to see businesses leave." Morrell said the answer is in knowing the ideologies of elected leaders, and he encouraged attendees to participate in elections. "We need to make sure we understand what people really believe, because we need to send people (into government) who will represent the free markets," Morrell said.