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GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATIVE
2008 Marana Chamber
Legislative
Positions
Arizona
Association of Economic Development -
2008 Legislative session
Arizona Democratic Party
| 2910 North Central Ave | Phoenix, AZ 85012
http://www.azdem.org/candidates/
Green Party of Pima County | PO
Box 6014 | Tucson, AZ 85703 | Phone: (520) 798-6169
http://www.azgp.org/
Arizona
Libertarian Party, Inc.
| 4802
E. Ray Rd., #23-255
|
Phoenix, AZ 85044
|
602.248.8425
http://www.azlp.org/
Arizona Republican Party
| 3501 North 24th Street | Phoenix, AZ 85016
phone: 602.957.7770 | fax: 602.224.0932
http://www.azgop.org/
Webinar Training Session for
e-Verify: every Thursday at 11;00AM
The AZ
Chamber hosts a web demonstration with the Department of Homeland
Security on how to use the federal Basic Pilot Program (Now called
E-Verify) to verify employee work eligibility. The demos are
free
and have an open Q&A session with officials from DHS. We are limited
to 125 participants per session, so please register in advance to
reserve your place and receive the log-in instructions. Please
visit
for more information and registration
SACCA - Southern Arizona Chamber of Commerce Alliance
2008 Legislative Agenda
Representing more
than 4,000 member firms from the Benson-San Pedro Valley, Marana,
Nogales-Santa Cruz County, Northern Pima County, Greater Sierra
Vista Area, Rio Rico, Tucson Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered,
Tucson Hispanic, and Tucson Metropolitan Chambers of Commerce. Its
purpose is to provide coordination on issues and to advance the
common business interests of Southern Arizona.
TAXATION
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
The Southern
Arizona Chamber Alliance (SACA) recognizes that Arizona revenue
collections have been above projections ($238 million through
October 2005), and that signals impressive economic performance
throughout the state. SACA further recognizes that driving this
excess revenue are one-time receipts generated by the statewide real
estate boom and capital gains, which is not a dependable, constant
revenue stream. Corporate and non-withholding individual income tax
collections have never been constant, and during the 2000-2001
recession, those receipts dropped $400 million.
Further, according
to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Arizona tax collection
growth has historically leveled off at 7 percent, far below the
current revenue collections of 20 percent.
SACA believes that
lawmakers cannot forget the volatility of Arizona’s sales tax-based
revenue structure, and that it is wise to plan for the next economic
slump, which will inevitably occur.
While the picture
currently is rosy for the Arizona economy, SACA believes such growth
is unsustainable and urges lawmakers in the House and Senate to be
prudent in their rhetoric and actions about “the surplus.” Also
central to this debate is the use of budgeting gimmicks that would
be criminal if done by the private sector.
It would be unwise
for the Legislature to go on a spending spree when there are
mandatory spending categories that are statutorily required. The
state of Arizona has many future liabilities, which should be
addressed in the crafting of the FY06 budget. These include:
-
$400 million in
annual growth of mandatory spending programs (K-12 education,
AHCCCS)
-
$99 million due
to pay the balance of the Ladewig court settlement
-
$191 million
liability if budget writers avoid K-12 “rollover” gimmick
-
$200 million if
the June/July business tax payment gimmick is halted
The Southern
Arizona Chamber Alliance urges state lawmakers to move cautiously
and slowly in examining any expanded spending programs in the FY07
budget. Additionally, SACA will advocate for the following
tax/budget measures:
-
Support
acceleration of business property tax valuation decrease
-
Support abolition
of business personal property tax
-
Continue to
support legitimate, wholesale tax reform
-
Support health
care tax credit for small business
-
Support efforts
to enhance R & D tax credits
-
Oppose any taxes
on services
-
Oppose real
estate transfer taxes
-
Support an
equalization of the property tax valuation for business and
residential property
TORT REFORM
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
SACA will support
reasonable means designed to curb lawsuit abuse and to provide a
system that promotes fair and prompt dispute resolution. SACA also
will advocate in favor of regulation or legislation that keeps
litigation costs at a minimum. Specifically, SACA will advocate for
the following actions:
-
Support the
reversal of Duquette decision in relation to medical malpractice
litigation
-
Support efforts
to require specific standards for proof of injury or damage claims
-
Support measures
that would limit liability and damages to actual losses
-
Seek legislation
that would reduce the number of professional liability lawsuits
-
Review all
avenues to lower the incidence of frivolous lawsuits
IMMIGRATION
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
SACA seeks a
resolution of the border issues and problems affecting Southern
Arizona and our neighbors to the south via federal, state and local
avenues in order to assure the safety and well being of all
residents and to protect the economic base of the region.
SACA would support
a workable guest worker program because it is necessary to match our
immigration system to our region’s economic needs. It is imperative
that the U.S. Congress step up to the plate and take the necessary
action to deal with immigration reform without further delay. With
immigration reform, our ability to fill future jobs is in serious
jeopardy.
Legislation that
excessively punishes employers who hire undocumented workers does
not deal with the basic problem but places employers “between a rock
and a hard place” with employment document verification.
SACA will work to
ensure that residents of Mexico are not denied the legal opportunity
to conduct business and visit family members in Arizona.
SACA urges the
appropriate lawmakers and decision-makers to track foreign visitors
in our country in order to determine that the laws of our country
regarding foreign travel are being met.
Because of the
federal government’s failed immigration policies, SACA advocates for
reimbursement of local expenses and costs that have an economic
impact on law enforcement, education and health care.
Additionally, SACA
will advocate for the following immigration measures:
-
Oppose any
legislation that creates undue hardships on employers for
verifying worker eligibility
-
Oppose any
legislation that creates overly punitive sanctions on employers
who unknowingly hire ineligible workers
-
Memorialize
Congress to urge federal lawmakers to create a dependable,
foolproof identifying system to verify worker eligibility
-
Support
legislation that allows local law enforcement to enforce federal
immigration law with the necessary financial resources in order to
do so.
EDUCATION
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
SACA will support
world-class standards of excellence in Arizona’s education system.
SACA will advocate for appropriate funding necessary to improve the
state’s education system from the K-12 through the university
levels. Today’s students are tomorrow’s employers and employees,
and in order to compete in today’s global economy, Arizona’s
education infrastructure must be of the highest quality.
Specifically, SACA
will advocate for the following actions:
-
Support prudent
spending proposals for K-12, higher education in FY07 budget
-
Oppose any
efforts to lower AIMS
testing standards
-
Support an
equalization of the property tax valuation for business and
residential property
ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
SACA supports the
concept that government entities should prepare economic impact
assessments prior to enacting environmental regulations and
ordinances imposed on the private sector. There have been attempts
at the state level to require this action whenever the state imposed
laws onto the cities and counties, but this was not required for the
private sector.
Water is a precious
resource that must not be wasted or lost, and SACA will continue to
stress the need for water conservation, as well as the need to
participate in and encourage discussion of water use policies that
use our existing water resources wisely and efficiently.
SACA encourages
state, county and city governments to seek new water resources and
supports legislation that would enable counties to enact ordinances
against water waste, and urges assistance wherever possible to
enable communities to balance their growth and water needs.
SACA believes
efforts should be made by governmental entities to streamline the
environmental permitting process with a faster application review.
The lengthy environmental permitting process hinders business
operations and suppresses business growth.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
The long-term
viability of the state and the Southern Arizona region is dependent
upon the successful development of new and existing business and
industry. The most beneficial and sustainable economic development
results from a competitive business climate. Government should
encourage and foster a climate of growth and development for local
business.
SACA fully supports
the military presence in our region (Davis-Monthan AFB, Fort
Huachuca), their functions and economic impact, as well as present
and future missions, and opposes any effort to close or reduce
operations.
SACA supports
efforts to expand economic growth, while promoting good stewardship
of our land and resources.
SACA urges
financial support from governmental entities for job training and
workforce development with priority funding for training and
development of the local workforce.
SACA supports the
presence and effectiveness of the Arizona Department of Commerce as
the Statewide Economic Development Agency, and also supports an
independent and effective Arizona Office of Tourism that maximizes
tourism’s contribution to local and state revenue. We oppose any
proposals that would dismantle these agencies.
SACA will support a
constitutional amendment to promote workplace and public safety that
allows the state to consider when an employee’s use of alcohol or
illegal drugs contributed to an injury in determining eligibility
for worker’s compensation benefits.
Additionally, SACA
will advocate the following specific positions:
MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
Benson-San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce
249 E. Fourth
Street – Benson, AZ 85602
520-586-2842 – Fax
520-586-1972
Marana Chamber of Commerce
13881 N. Casa
Grande Highway – Marana, AZ 85653-9312
520-682-4314 – Fax
520-682-2303
Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce
123 W. Kino Park –
Nogales, AZ 85621
520-287-3685 – Fax
520-287-3688
Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce
200 W. Magee Road
#120 – Tucson, AZ 85704
520-297-2191 – Fax
520-742-7960
Greater Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce
21 E. Wilcox Drive
– Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
520-458-6940 – Fax
520-452-0878
Rio Rico Chamber of Commerce
Tucson Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 14312 –
Tucson, AZ 85732-4312
520-615-6436
Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
823 E. Speedway
Blvd. – Tucson, AZ 85719
520-620-0005 – Fax
520-620-9685
Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
465 W. St. Mary’s
Road – Tucson, AZ 85701
520-792-1212 – Fax
520-882-5704
Legislative Representation
Paul Parisi
PO Box 991 –
Tucson, AZ 85702
520-869-1679
– Fax 520-882-5704
pparisi@tucsonchamber.org
SOUTHERN ARIZONA DELEGATION
47th Legislature, Second Regular Session
Mailing Address:
Arizona State
Capitol
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890
E-mail Address:
First initial + last name (i.e., marzberger @ azleg.gov)
Phone Numbers:
Senate Information
– 602-926-3559
House Information –
602-926-4221
District 25 (Benson, Marana, Nogales, Oro Valley, Rio Rico, Sierra
Vista, Tucson)
Senator Marsha
Arzberger (D)
Representative
Manuel Alvarez (D)
Representative
Jennifer Burns (R)
District 26 (Tucson)
Senator Charlene
Pesquiera
(D)
Representative
Peter Hershberger (R)
Representative
Nancy Young Wright (D)
District 27 (Tucson)
Senator Jorge Luis
Garcia (D)
Representative
Oliva Cajero Bedford (D)
Representative Phil
Lopes (D)
District 28 (Tucson)
Senator Paula Aboud
(D)
Representative
David Bradley (D)
Representative Ted
Downing (D)
District 29 (Tucson)
Senator Victor
Soltero (D)
Representative
Linda Lopez (D)
Representative Tom
Prezelski (D)
District 30 (Tucson)
Senator Tim Bree
(R)
Representative
Jonathan Paton (R)
Representative
Marian McClure (R) |
