Economic Development
“The Can-Do Coalition’s focus on consumers is imperative to getting the economy back on track. It’s so refreshing to have a business organization pushing positive news to balance the negativity that is constantly bombarding us?in the media.”
Michael Waddoups
Utah State Senate President
Statement of Principles:
- Collaborate – State leadership on economic development issues can unite public and private sector efforts and bring cohesion to state and municipal action. Collaboration will increase the efficiency and success of Utah’s efforts, both in business and government.
- Short-term Economic Stimulus – We support policy that facilitates Utah’s economic recovery. Such policy should be timely, targeted and leveraged.
- Promote Long-term Economic Development – We seek to assist in the development and execution of economic policies that will result in sustained economic growth, building a better future for Utah’s businesses and families.
- Drive Optimism – While we acknowledge economic facts, we choose to approach economic development issues proactively and with optimism. We seek to publicize what’s right with Utah and strengthen consumer confidence in Utah’s economy.
2010 Public Policy Priorities:
- No General Tax Increase – During an economic downturn we do not support any increase in income, sales or property tax.
- Decrease Sales Tax Rate and Add Stability to Tax System – Our economy will be stronger if we put the sales tax back on food and lower the sales tax rate commensurately. Utah’s economy will be more competitive, and next time we have a downturn we will have less volatility.
- Keep Commitment to Transportation – Transportation investment lowers business costs, increases productivity and enhances our quality of life. Investment in roads and transit improves our economic competitiveness.
- Invest in Human Capital – A well-trained workforce is the single most important business input. Further reductions in public and higher education will put?our workforce at risk.
- Maximize State Efficiencies – Make additional targeted ?cuts in state government. The best-managed state ?must get even better.
- Utilize Targeted User Fees – Where possible and appropriate, those who use government services should pay for them. Highways should be funded primarily with user fees (such as auto-related sales taxes or indexed fuel taxes). Health costs should be partially paid for with tobacco taxes.
Recent Accomplishments:
- Bolstered Utah Housing – Governor Huntsman and Governor Herbert both embraced the Chamber’s recommendations to kick-start Utah’s housing industry by launching the Home Run grant programs in 2009. These programs supported the industry hardest hit by the recession—construction—and resulted in an efficient clearing of excess inventory.
- Strengthened Utah’s Transportation Infrastructure and Put Utahns Back to Work – The Chamber championed aggressive investment in transportation projects resulting in over $4 billion invested in Utah’s infrastructure between now and 2014. For every $1 billion invested in Utah highways 29,000 jobs are created or preserved. Investing at this time also takes advantage of low construction and bonding costs.
- Advancing USTAR – The Utah Science, Technology and Research Initiative is critical to the development of Utah’s innovation economy. The Chamber’s support in a difficult budget year helped keep USTAR a bright part of Utah’s future.
- Promoting Salt Lake City as a University Town – The Chamber’s strategic partner, the Downtown Alliance, led the “Home of the Utes” campaign to invigorate the city with a university town atmosphere and promote economic development.
“Public policy that supports business and its need for a qualified labor force is good for Utah. As businesses thrive, employees and the?community benefit. A rising tide lifts all boats.”
Scott Parson, Staker Parson Companies
Additional Business Priorities
The Salt Lake Chamber unequivocally supports an amendment to Utah’s Constitution to protect the individual’s right to express their opinions via a secret-ballot vote without fear of coercion or retribution. The secret ballot is fundamental to our democratic process and merits constitutional protection.
Protect Vote by Secret Ballot – On November 2, 2010, Utahns will go to the polls to cast their votes for elected officials and the Secret Ballot Initiative. If approved by a majority of the voters this initiative will amend Utah’s constitution to preserve election by secret ballot. Misguided federal legislation threatens this fundamental right. In response, state lawmakers overwhelmingly passed this proposed amendment by the requisite two-thirds majority required to amend the constitution.
Continued Support of an Employer-Sponsored Work Program – Immigration is an incredible benefit to Utah and also presents some unique challenges. The Chamber supports comprehensive state action to manage immigration in Utah. The Chamber’s proposed Employer-Sponsored Work Program takes into account Utah’s economic needs and realities while mitigating difficulties associated with an undocumented population.
Legislative Ethics – The Salt Lake Chamber supports landmark legislative ethics reform that ensures transparency in government and high standards of conduct. The Chamber does not support any policy that denies most business persons, community leaders and even many property owners the opportunity to serve. The Chamber also opposes onerous financial disclosure requirments that violate personal privacy beyond the scope needed for public accountability.
Retirement – In this economic environment many traditional ideas about financing are being re-thought. This is especially true in programs such as health care and pensions. The state of Utah is leading the nation in health system reform. Similarly, the state is now also considering reform of its pension system. The Chamber applauds forward thinking legislators and the Utah State Retirement System for innovative ideas that would fund reasonable benefits to retiring state and local employees while keeping the pension system funded and actuarially viable for future state and local employees without imposing crippling debt on our children and grandchildren.
Committee Membership:
Chair: Chris Redgrave, Immediate Past Chair?of the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors
Scott Anderson, Zions Bank
Scott Beck, Salt Lake Visitor’s and
Convention Bureau
Janet Bingham, Huntsman Cancer Foundation
Mark Bouchard, CB Richard Ellis
Jake Boyer, The Boyer Company
Wilford Clyde, Clyde Companies
Steve Creamer, EnergySolutions
Jeff Edwards, Economic Development
Corporation of Utah
Tom Guinney, Gastronomy
Clark Ivory, Ivory Homes
Ted McAleer, USTAR
Jennifer Nakao, Grant Thornton
Richard Nelson, Utah Technology Council
Scott Parson, Staker Parson Companies
Jill Taylor, Key Bank
Ex officio representation from Governor’s
Office of Economic Development