RE: Streamling process

[Marci Kinter <marcik@sgia.org>]

Not only do representatives from the general public, i.e., the
environmental and local community groups become tapped out, but
small businesses as well. Oftentimes, the state or federal agency
seeks to have a small business owner serve on a panel.  They too
have costs associated with participation.  If you have a meeting
that discusses more than one issue, then you are compressing the
amount of time requested.  However, based on other items in
today's dialogue, some may feel more tied to one issue over
another.  They may see it as a waste of time.  From my
experience, and it is primarily on the federal level, the groups
that become tapped out are the national or state wide
organizations, not the local community groups.

The idea of combining is a sound one as long as you do not dilute
the intent of the meeting.