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State Legislative Agenda
The Tucson Metro Chamber is your partner in facing some of the biggest challenges that impact business in our community. We give our members opportunities to become informed and make a difference in policy issues that support community growth.
Local Legislative Agenda
Public Policy Guide 2023
Economic Development
- Advocate for incentives that encourage job creation, capital investment, and facilitate Southern Arizona’s ability to attract and retain businesses
- Support a state budget that prioritizes economic growth and makes strategic investments in infrastructure, education, public safety and workforce development in Southern Arizona
- Support Arizona’s military families, veterans and installations
- Support efforts to strengthen Arizona’s ability to utilize public-private partnerships
- Advocate for investment in Southern Arizona workforce initiatives to enhance long term economic growth
- Support post-secondary institutions advancing research, innovation, strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship, career and technical training and workforce development
- Support strengthened relationships between the Arizona Commerce Authority, Sun Corridor and Rio Nuevo to encourage economic development investments in Southern Arizona
- Support international trade with Mexico and nearshoring in conjunction with the Arizona-Mexico Commission to promote the economic prosperity of Arizona and Mexico
- Strongly oppose single payer and other government-sponsored programs that unfairly compete against the private market
- Oppose government intrusion into private workplace management and efforts that place private business at a competitive disadvantage
- Advocate for initiatives to support the preservation and production of affordable housing as community infrastructure
- Support legislation that exempts property owners from increased tax burden because of government mandated compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as county and municipal life and safety building improvements
- Support efforts to lower health care costs, including opposing any legislative efforts that would destabilize the current health insurance market
- Support legislation that provides liability relief from COVID-19 related claims
Education
- Advocate for any legislation or budget proposal that increases the lump sum appropriation to the university and community college systems to support the cost of education and capital projects
- Oppose any legislation that would create unfunded mandates for K-12 schools, the state universities, and community college systems
- Support a resolution to override the Aggregate Expenditure Limit for the 2023 school year, allowing K-12 district schools to use the funding that was allocated, passed by the legislature and developed into district budgets
- Advocate for the approval of a referendum to then be voted on by Arizona voters to permanently address the Aggregate Expenditure Limit issue
- Support investment in the State’s University system that enhances Arizona’s competitiveness in the New Economy
- Support the enterprise model of operations which recognizes and advances each University and their differentiated missions while reducing regulation, increasing operational flexibility and minimizing costs of conducting business
- Oppose any policy that removes the universities and community colleges authority to oversee and manage campus operations
- Advocate for new and increased financial resources for P-20 education and quality early childhood education
- Support modernization and simplification of the state’s P-20 funding system
- Advocate the reinstatement of full funding for four-year Joint Technical Education District (JTED) programming
- Ensure all students have the digital literacy skills needed to succeed in today’s workplace
- Advocate for necessary technology and sufficient funding
Infrastructure
- Advocate for regional policies that invest in, develop and support resilient physical infrastructure: transportation, water, sewer, power and communications.
- Monitor and provide business perspective and input in climate change discussions and the development of policies and regulations.
- Support balanced water stewardship, particularly given drought conditions and increasing water demands of a growing economy and expanding population.
- Participate as a business stakeholder in Arizona’s water planning processes at the State, Regional and local level to ensure a long-term resilient and reliable water supply for current and future residents and businesses.
- Advocate for new and increased revenue sources for transportation infrastructure projects including airports, roads, highways, interstates and the proposed Sonoran Corridor
- Oppose sweeps from dedicated transportation funding models into the general fund
- Pursue funding restoration through a one-time or multi-year allocation to repay the previous budget cycle sweeps from the Highway User Revenue Fund, the Lake Improvement Fund, and the Aviation Fund
- Advocate for full restoration of revenue share funding back to counties and municipalities
- Support policies that remove regulatory barriers and reduce government-driven costs that inhibit private investment in expansion of broadband services in Arizona
- Support legislation, regulation and policies that recognize utility infrastructure delivery systems as assets requiring consistent maintenance, improvement, and support through investments by all users
- Support efforts to lower health care costs, including opposing any legislative efforts that would destabilize the current health insurance market
- Support legislation that provides liability relief from COVID-19 related claims