As Utah s business leader, we stand as the voice of business, we support our members success and we champion community prosperity

Transcription

1 PublicPOLICY 2009Guide As Utah s busiess leader, we stad as the voice of busiess, we support our members success ad we champio commuity prosperity

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3 Dear Fellow Utahs, As Utah s busiess leader, the Salt Lake Chamber speaks out o public policy issues importat to busiess ad champios commuity prosperity. The Chamber Board of Goverors uderstads the busiess importace of the public sector i educatig the workforce, creatig a level playig field, achievig a sesible regulatory eviromet ad ivestig i ifrastructure. I a very real way, soud public policy creates a eviromet for busiess success. Busiess struggles i the absece of good govermet. Ifluecig soud public policy etails more tha a 45-day commitmet durig Utah s legislative sessio much more. Our eight policy task forces are egaged year-roud i reviewig, developig, promotig ad improvig public policy at all levels of govermet federal, state ad local. The challeges of the past year reiforce the eed for soud public policy i facilitatig ecoomic growth ad opportuity. The edurig lesso gleaed from the Salt Lake Chamber s cetury of busiess leadership is that our ecoomy will cotiue to grow ad will always recover from challegig times. Utahs have reaso to be optimistic. We have a well-traied workforce, superb trasportatio ifrastructure, a reasoable regulatory eviromet, relatively low busiess costs ad a diversified employmet mix. These are the right igrediets for log-term success. Our uemploymet rate is about half of the atioal average, our state govermet is well maaged, fuel prices have retured to reasoable levels ad our recessio is much milder tha i other states. From a Chamber perspective, we have ever bee more relevat ad successful i represetig the iterests of busiess, facilitatig our members success ad champioig commuity prosperity. The Public Policy Guide details the Chamber s commitmet to public policy ad outlies our guidig priciples ad priorities for We look forward to a very productive year ad ivite you to joi us. Sicerely, Lae Beattie Presidet ad CEO Chris Redgrave Chair P u b l i c P o l i c y G u i d e 1

4 ECONOMIC Stimulus Through all of the ecoomic turmoil, let s ot lose sight of the may great thigs happeig i the Utah ecoomy. Durig the past year, Sephora, Duca Aviatio, Proctor ad Gamble, ATK ad Oracle have all expaded or aouced plas to expad i Utah. Time ad agai, Utah receives accolades as the best maaged state. Ideed, we have much to be proud of eve i tough times. Jeff Edwards, Ecoomic Developmet Corporatio of Utah Leaders: Chris Redgrave, Chair, Salt Lake Chamber Board of Goverors, Vice Presidet, Geeral Maager, Boeville Salt Lake Radio Group Lae Beattie, Presidet ad CEO, Salt Lake Chamber Statemet of Priciples: Timely: We seek urget actio to ifuse dollars ito the Utah ecoomy to create jobs ad icrease icome for Utah families. Targeted: We believe state stimulus efforts should be focused i the areas that provide the greatest retur o ivestmet, through job creatio ad ecoomic prosperity, ad targeted toward the idustries ad workers most severely impacted by the curret recessio. Leveraged: We support ivestmet i the Utah ecoomy that ca be leveraged. Stimulus efforts should aggressively mie opportuities to multiply our ivestmet through matchig fuds Public Policy Priorities Costructio ad Housig: Accelerate ad garer icreased ivestmet i housig ad costructio through prudet bodig ad advocacy for federal fuds. Ivestmets i these idustries realize large multiplier effects, thereby beefitig other idustries. Costructio ad housig ca lead a ecoomy ito a recessio ad out of a recessio. Trasportatio: Ivest i vital trasportatio ifrastructure. Utah beefits from oe of the most aggressive trasportatio ivestmet programs i the coutry. Durig times of ecoomic eed, this ivestmet has the dual advatage of stimulatig ear term growth, while also esurig log-term ecoomic prosperity. Ecoomists estimate that every $1 billio ivested i our federal highway system creates 34,779 ew jobs. Additioally, it is estimated that every $1 billio ivestmet i oresidetial costructio adds $2.4 billio to the state s gross domestic product. Durig times of ecoomic cotractio, Utah should accelerate, ot reduce, ivestmet i trasportatio ifrastructure. 2 S a l t L a k e C h a m b e r

5 State Buildigs: Fud high-priority state facilities that have a sigificat private sector match. It is estimated that the costructio of $200 millio i capital facilities would have a total employmet impact of 3,205 jobs ad earigs impact of $161.2 millio. The Uiversity of Utah, Utah State Uiversity, Salt Lake Commuity College ad Weber State Uiversity each have buildigs at the top of the prioritized State Buildig Board list. Ivestmet i these buildigs is doubled by a private sector match. Project Total Cost Private (%) UU - David Eccles School of Busiess $99,600,000 $71,100,000 (71%) UU - Skaggs Pharmacy Buildig WSU - Professioal Programs Classroom Buildig SLCC - Digital Arts ad Desig $71,600,000 $41,600,000 (58%) $53,544,795 $9,500,000 (18%) $25,305,000 $3,600,000 (14%) Total $250,049,795 $125,800,000 (50%) SLCC - Excludes studet fees i doatio ad i part of total cost (3.6m Schools, 5.3m Studet Fees) Recet Accomplishmets: Iflueced Goveror s Budget Recommedatios: The Salt Lake Chamber worked closely with Goveror Hutsma s Office to ecourage a timely, targeted ad leveraged stimulus pla. Goveror Hutsma delivered with his Ecoomic Kick- Start Pla, which the Salt Lake Chamber supports as a good startig poit to stimulate Utah s ecoomy. Covey a Spirit of Optimism: The Salt Lake Chamber partered with key media players to share positive ecoomic ews durig a period of devastatig atioal ecoomic performace. We ve used Dowtow Risig, the Metro Busiess Report, What s Right with Utah, Utah Pulse ad the Utah Busiess Miute to covey the sigificat highlights i Utah s ecoomy, eve i these challegig times. The Salt Lake Chamber thaks our geerous media parters Boeville Radio Group, MediaOe, Utah Pulse ad Citadel Broadcastig for their support. Advertised Housig Affordability: The Salt Lake Chamber raised $185,000 to advertise the affordability of housig ad availability of a $7,500 federal tax credit for qualifyig firsttime homebuyers. By stimulatig housig trasactios for qualified purchasers, we ca improve the Utah ecoomy. I ca thik of o issue more importat to Utah workers ad families tha gettig the Utah ecoomy back o track. I commed the Salt Lake Chamber for takig the lead. Advaced Trasportatio Costructio: The Salt Lake Chamber worked closely with the Utah Departmet of Trasportatio, the Goveror s Office ad Utah legislators to restore a pla to fud plaed highway projects eve i the face of decliig sales tax reveues. The goveror recommeded, ad the Chamber supports, a icrease i the motor vehicle registratio fee to help pay for these projects. The Chamber also supports additioal user fees to keep Utah s trasportatio ivestmet o track. Dave Golde, Wells Fargo Bak P u b l i c P o l i c y G u i d e 3

6 HEALTH System REFORM At my busiess, health isurace premiums exceed all of our other operatig expeses. Providig health isurace may become impossible if this usustaiable system is t chaged. The Salt Lake Chamber recogizes that may busiesses are i a similar situatio ad is workig for chage. Peggy Lader Parter, Richter 7 Chair: Scott Hymas, CEO, RC Willey Statemet of Priciples: Fix a Broke System: Although Utah s health care system is amog the most efficiet i the atio, we ca improve. We applaud the Utah Legislature ad the Goveror for makig health system reform a top state priority ad pledge our full support for the process. Cotai Costs: We view ever-escalatig costs as the reaso that there are so may uisured. We must focus reforms o log-term cost cotaimet. Reform Based o Market Priciples: We support the creatio of a health system reform strategic pla for the state of Utah that will apply the priciples of the private market to cotai costs, stregthe the Utah ecoomy ad improve lives. Accoutability: We believe that Utah s strategic pla must expad accoutability at all levels of the health system patiets, providers, purchasers, payers ad political leaders. By so doig, every Utah will take more persoal resposibility for their health ad we ca realig the system to be more cosumer-drive. Public Policy Priorities: Iteret Portal: Create a Iteret portal that allows cotributios from multiple sources to be utilized for the purchase of isurace. This is the first step i trasitioig from a employer-sposored defied beefit pla to a idividualcetered, defied cotributio system, which will icetivize prudet utilizatio ad reward people who make healthy lifestyle choices. Elimiate Waste: We advocate immediate ad bold legislative actio to create isurace products that are portable from job to job while exposig the shiftig of costs that takes place i the curret health system. This will create efficiecy ad elimiate waste. We also edorse public policies that protect medical providers who use best practices from ureasoable jury awards ad that require all isurace policies to be purchased with pre-tax dollars. 4 S a l t L a k e C h a m b e r

7 We evisio a health care system that will sustai a vibrat ecoomy ad eable people to live healthier, more productive lives. I such a system, every Utah will have access to affordable, basic health isurace ad care that is paid for with pre-tax dollars, self-selected, portable from job to job, guarateed issue, rated based o a broad-based risk pool ad structured to icorporate cost cotrollig features. Health care cosumers will have access to complete iformatio that will allow them to make prudet decisios about their care ad employers ca make defied cotributios to the health care of their employees. I such a system, we will icrease accoutability, elimiate waste, trasform icetives, exted compassio ad, most importatly, improve people s lives. Health System Reform Busiess Bill of Rights ad Resposibilities. Trasform Icetives: Health system reform must empower cosumers with iformatio about cost ad quality of health services, which will eable cosumers to cotrol costs. The Chamber supports legislatio that will icrease trasparecy i our health system. Isurer ad Broker Disclosures: Require isurers to disclose the percetage of claims paid ad percetage of adverse beefit determiatios that were subsequetly overtured. We also edorse legislatio that requires isurers ad brokers to disclose commissio compesatio paid to brokers. Utah NetCare Basic Health Pla: Create a affordable beefit package that will cover prevetive, primary ad emergecy care. We also support icludig healthy lifestyle ad welless icetives i this basic pla. Although defiig a basic beefit is complicated ad difficult, it is a importat step i achievig health care coverage for all Utah residets. Exted Compassio: Programs to provide care for those i eed should be preserved ad stregtheed. Recet Accomplishmets Siged Busiess Bill of Rights ad Resposibilities: I a uprecedeted show of support ad uity, the Salt Lake Chamber uited the busiess commuity ad created ad siged the Health System Reform Busiess Bill of Rights ad Resposibilities. This documet icludes a visio for a health system that will cotai costs, stregthe the ecoomy ad eable people to live healthier, more productive lives. Employers ad orgaizatios represetig approximately 500,000 jobs i Utah, or early half of Utah s workforce, have edorsed this visio. Passage of House Bill 133: Eterig the 2008 legislative sessio, the Salt Lake Chamber idetified health reform as a top priority. Throughout the sessio, Chamber leaders worked diligetly with legislators ad champioed HB 133, which outlied a process to achieve comprehesive health system reform P u b l i c P o l i c y G u i d e 5

8 The Salt Lake Chamber has bee ad remais a ifluetial voice for health system reform. I appreciate the Chamber s efforts to move Utah forward o this importat issue, otwithstadig the immese pressure to maitai the status quo. Represetative Dave Clark, Speaker of the House ad Co-Chair of the Health System Reform Task Force. 6 S a l t L a k e C h a m b e r

9 Led Busiess Stakeholder Group: HB 133 created five stakeholder groups to provide isight to the reform process. The Chamber, i cojuctio with other busiess associatios, led the busiess stakeholder group. Brigig Experts to Utah: Uderstadig that the best mids are eeded to successfully reform Utah s health system, the Chamber recruited ad hosted promiet health reform experts. Guests icluded Seator Bob Beett, Le Nichols of New America Foudatio, Deis Smith ad Ed Haiselmeyer of the Heritage Foudatio ad Kare Igagi of America s Health Isurace Plas. Providig Idustry Isight through Rump Group: The Salt Lake Chamber Health System Reform Rump Group, composed of health care idustry experts, is providig isight to law makers regardig specific reform recommedatios such as creatig a robust portal ad a affordable basic isurace product. Committee Membership Bob Baker, Deborah Bayle, Thomas Bigham, Cadace Daly, Chip Everest, Christia Garder, Paul Glauser, Scott Hymas, Seator Pat Joes, Seator Waye Niederhauser, Jim Olse, Chris Redgrave, Steve Roseberg, Jill Taylor, Natha Wickizer Impact o Busiess Utah s curret health system is usustaiable, as market icetives have become distorted ad persoal accoutability is virtually oexistet. The result is skyrocketig health care costs. Cosider the followig: Compared to just ie years ago, Utah employers are payig 100 percet more for the health care beefits they provide to their employees. Health care expeditures i Utah total $9.6 billio each year. This astroomically high umber is growig at a usustaiable rate of 8 percet aually. 57 percet of Utahs are isured through employmet based health plas. Of those Utahs who are isured, 79 percet are isured through their employer or uio early 1.8 millio Utahs. O average, employers cotribute 76 percet of the cost of health isurace to employees erolled i employmet sposored family plas. This cotributio exceeds $8,000 per employee. Icreases i health premiums are cripplig busiesses ability to provide health isurace. Experts estimate that America workers have give most or all of their pay icreases to the health system for the past eight years. Ad busiesses are droppig health isurace beefits i Utah faster tha ay other state, fallig from 57 percet as recetly as 1998 to 44 percet today. From Utah s uisured raks swelled by 5 percet, a full 4 percet more tha the atioal average P u b l i c P o l i c y G u i d e 7

10 IMMIGRATION The Chamber worked diligetly last sessio to protect us from immigratio legislatio that would have hurt Utah s ecoomy. I look to the Chamber this year to cotiue to represet the busiess commuity o this importat issue. Clark Ivory CEO, Ivory Homes Chair: Steve Tyler, Parter, Hollad & Hart Statemet of Priciples Beefits Utah: We recogize the power of immigratio as a catalyst for positive chage. Addressig Core Issues: We are iterested i log-term solutios as opposed to politically motivated legislatio that oly treats symptoms. Federal Actio: We ackowledge that ay real solutio requires federal cooperatio ad leadership. At the same time, we believe that states ca ad should propose iovative solutios that will motivate federal actio. Busiess Primer: We recogize labor as a importat ecoomic iput ad immigratio legislatio must provide for such labor so that our ecoomy ca prosper. High Skilled Labor: We support policy that icreases the availability of high skilled laborers i the U.S. Families: We believe that immigratio policy should be crafted to stregthe families Public Policy Priorities Chage the Debate: For too log Utah has bee hampered by federal iactio. The Salt Lake Chamber has proposed a Employer Sposored Work Program that addresses immigratio policy i a comprehesive maer at the state level. This proposal addresses the difficulties preseted by a udocumeted populatio while also providig for the eeds of Utah s ecoomy. It is time to sed a message to Washigto, D.C. If you are ot ready or willig to act, we are. 8 S a l t L a k e C h a m b e r

11 Salt Lake Chamber Employer Sposored Work Program Program Specifics Comprehesive Reform: We support comprehesive immigratio reform begiig o a state level. Federal Waivers: Gai ecessary federal waivers to grat temporary work permits ad have locally eforced federal law. No Displacemet of U.S. Workers: Oly jobs that caot be filled by citizes or curretly authorized workers will be available to a temporary worker. Crimial Check ad Health Exam: Immigrats would be admitted followig U.S. Homelad Security approvals icludig crimial backgroud checks ad health exams. Register with State: Requires residecy otificatio of all guest workers, the same as ay Utah licesed real estate aget, or other Utah licesed idividuals. Private Sector Eforcemet: Create a surety bod that the immigrat would purchase to guaratee their willigess to follow all temporary worker requiremets, so the state does ot foot the bill for immigratio law eforcemet. Basic Health Isurace Required: Withhold 15 percet of a guest worker s wages to pay for worker s health isurace, this would be the same ad replaces the amout U.S. citizes ow withhold for Social Security ad Medicare. 10% Withholdig: 10 percet of wages will be held i a iterest-bearig accout that will go back to the worker after completig ad keepig all requiremets of the Employer Sposored Work Program. Auto Isurace Required: No fault auto isurace required as it is for all Utahs P u b l i c P o l i c y G u i d e 9

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13 Recet Accomplishmets Moderatig Legislatio: The Salt Lake Chamber helped refie Seate Bill 81 durig the 2008 legislative sessio. Provisios such as oerous employer verificatio requiremets ad ID cards were removed from the legislatio as a result of the Chamber s efforts. Establishmet of the Immigratio Policy Coalitio: The Chamber co-coveed ad ow co-chairs the Immigratio Policy Coalitio. This coalitio is broad-based ad icludes religious orgaizatios, busiess, o-profits ad other associatios ad etities dedicated to the developmet of soud immigratio policy ad opposed to reactioary immigratio legislatio. Membership Jeff Adams, Carlos Alegre, Kare Adrews, Bob Babcock, Rick Betz, Thomas Bigham, Todd Bigham, Presidet Cythia Bioteau, Melaie Bowe, Jake Boyer, Loie Bullard, Toy Caputo, Represetative Rebecca Chavez-Houck, Ages Chiao, Wilford Clyde, Cadace Daly, Represetative Brad Dee, Jerry Dewey, Specer Eccles, Clito Esig, Elizabeth Goryuova, Tom Guiey, Joh Hadfield, Tom Hori, Clark Ivory, Seator Scott Jekis, Peter Jeks, Dave Littlefield, Barbara Meledez, Robert Nilse, Brett Oklad, Jim Olse, Nate Packer, Stephaie Pappas, Matthew Pruss, Sta Rasmusse, Mike Reberg, Alice Steier, Seator Howard Stepheso, Tera Suder, Matt Throckmorto, Paul Torres, Roger Tsai, Maxie Turer, Steve Tyler, David Ure, Daiel Watt Impact o Busiess Icrease Productivity: Immigrats are a critical part of the U.S. workforce ad cotribute to productivity growth ad techological advacemet. Critical Labor Iput: Immigrats make up 15 percet of all workers ad eve larger shares of certai occupatios such as costructio, food services ad health care. Fuel High Tech Ecoomy: Approximately 40 percet of Ph.D. scietists workig i the Uited States were bor abroad. As a law-maker, I look to the Chamber for its thoughtful ad reasoable voice o issues that ca be emotioal ad politically difficult to hadle, such as immigratio. Seator Scott Jekis Majority Whip, Utah State Seate P u b l i c P o l i c y G u i d e 11

14 EDUCATION Ivestig our time ad moey to educate all childre is the oly way to help close the fudig gap that exists i Utah s educatio system. The Chamber is leadig the way for busiess o both couts. McKell Withers Superitedet, Salt lake City School District Chair: Robert Gariger, Vice Presidet/Busiess Leader, America Express Statemet of Priciples Prepare Utahs to Compete i Global Ecoomy: We support the creatio of a logterm strategy for educatio that will prepare Utahs to compete i a iteratioal ecoomy. Create Comprehesive Approach to Public ad Higher Educatio: We view public ad higher educatio as iextricably liked ad believe that educatio policy should treat them comprehesively. Commuity groups, busiess associatios ad parets should support coordiated goals. Raise Expectatios: We believe that Utah s educatio system should produce the highest achievig studets i the atio. Studets should excel i a broad curriculum. Admiistrators, teachers, parets, studets, busiess leaders, the goveror ad the legislature must commit their best efforts to meet expectatios. Focus o High Demad Educatio ad Traiig: We believe that educatio policy should support the developmet of a taleted ad vibrat workforce for our rapidly chagig ecoomy by emphasizig areas of umet eed math, sciece, egieerig, techology ad techical educatio. Educatio should be resposive to the eeds of Utah busiess Public Policy Priorities Cotiue to Ivest: Reductios i public ad higher educatio budgets should be limited to those that will have the most limited impact o curret studets. Busiess Support of Educatio: The Chamber s Utah. School. Work. program will cotiue to support our schools by matchig busiesses that ca supply time, talet or resources to schools. I 2009 we will pursue aveues to provide much eeded resources from busiesses directly to schools. 12 S a l t L a k e C h a m b e r

15 Recet Accomplishmets Committee Membership Utah. School. Work.: This is our sigature educatio campaig. The Chamber is committed to raisig $100,000 ad doatig 100,000 hours to local schools. The Salt Lake Chamber cotiues to support Juior Achievemet ad Utah Scholars programs. Juior Achievemet: Chamber members affirmed the busiess commitmet to the Juior Achievemet program by voluteerig time i local schools. Kevi Allred, Do Bailey, Presidet Cythia Bioteau, Maso Bishop, Reed Buchaa, Rey Butcher, Bill Crim, Tom Dearde, Gee Foulger, Robert Gariger, Elizabeth Goryuova, Camille Guth, Bria Guyer, Joh Hill, Paul Jackso, Steve Jekis, Seator Pat Joes, Christie Kearl, Steve Kroes, Steve Maas, Joae Miler, Rich Nelso, Adrew Odoardi, Mary Shumway, Greg Sorese, Pam Strom, Michael Williams, McKell Withers. Utah s techology idustry cotiues to prosper ad the Chamber is helpig to provide a ecosystem that supports its growth. With a quality workforce as the idustry s #1 issue, the Chamber s dedicatio to advacig sciece, techology, egieerig ad math (STEM) is pivotal i cultivatig a thrivig eviromet for all ecoomic sectors. Richard Nelso, Presidet ad CEO, Utah Techology Coucil P u b l i c P o l i c y G u i d e 13

16 TRANSPORTATION The busiess commuity, led by the Salt Lake Chamber, has bee key to the efforts of those of us i the Legislature who ever lost sight of the importace of trasportatio ifrastructure. Thaks to their efforts we have bee able to maitai essetial fudig for roads, trasit, ad corridor preservatio. Chair: Kip Wadsworth Statemet of Priciples: Plaig for the Future: A safe ad efficiet trasportatio system is foudatioal for Utah s ecoomic vitality, quality of life ad growth. The Chamber supports the cotiued plaig, developmet ad costructio of the trasportatio projects idetified as part of the 2015 Alliace iitiative. Balaced Trasportatio Ivestmet: We support a balaced ivestmet approach, that icludes both highway ad trasit ivestmet, to meet our trasportatio eeds Public Policy Priorities Maitai Curret Fudig: Utah must maitai established fudig levels ad bodig capacity i order to meet curret ad log-term trasportatio eeds. Idetify Future Fudig: Utah must idetify ad secure additioal fudig sources dedicated to ivestmet i trasportatio ifrastructure, icludig a icrease of user fees. Maximize Federal Fudig: State govermet should work collaboratively with other parters to idetify projects eligible for federal fudig. Ehace Trasit: Utah should support trasit ehacemets, icludig the rebuildig of the North Temple viaduct. The Chamber ecourages exploratio of iovative public trasportatio optios. Seator Sheldo Killpack Majority Leader, Utah State Seate Recet Accomplishmets Established Trasportatio as Fudig Priority: I 2004, the Salt Lake Chamber led a busiess commuity effort to esure that trasportatio fudig was a top priority for Utah lawmakers. The Chamber pushed for a comprehesive trasit/ highway shared solutio to the state s mobility problems. That same year, the Utah Legislature created a Trasportatio Plaig Task Force to develop fudig recommedatios. The Task Force spet two years developig a statewide 14 S a l t L a k e C h a m b e r

17 Trasportatio Policy to iclude fudig for both highways Secured Sales Tax Fudig for Highways: The Chamber ad trasit. Oe of its recommedatios was to provide a helped secure a icreased earmark of auto-related sales reveue stream sufficiet to provide a additioal $2 billio tax. Curretly, 8.3 percet of the state s sales tax goes for highways over the ext te years. directly to highway fudig. Advaced Earmark of Automobile Sales Tax for Highways: Helped Icrease Bodig for Trasportatio: I 2008 the I 2005 the Chamber led efforts to icrease highway fudig Legislature authorized additioal bodig capacity to begi by earmarkig a portio of the tax o sales of automobiles, work o the $2 billio-plus Utah Couty I-15 project. auto parts ad related automobile materials. Helped Create the Trasportatio Ivestmet Fud: The Chamber supported the creatio of the Trasportatio Ivestmet Fud. This fud is used for all statewide ew capacity road projects ad their maiteace. Formed 2015 Trasportatio Alliace: The Salt Lake Chamber helped form the 2015 Alliace, a busiess cosortium created to advocate icreased fudig for both highways ad trasit. Uder the Alliace, local ad state elected officials, plaig orgaizatios, trasportatio plaers ad other stakeholders partered i a uprecedeted fashio to idetify critical highway ad trasit eeds ad develop viable fudig solutios. I 2006, at the urgig of the Chamber ad the Alliace, the Wasatch Frot Regioal Coucil ad the Moutailad Associatio of Govermets idetified a first phase trasportatio eed of $6.2 billio to build critical projects by 2015, $4.1 billio i highway projects ad $2.1 billio i trasit projects. Champioed New Sales Tax Reveue for Trasit ad Roads i Salt Lake ad Utah Couties: The Chamber led ballot iitiatives i Salt Lake ad Utah Couties to fud TRAX light rail lies, highway projects, FrotRuer commuter rail ad corridor preservatio. Both iitiatives passed with a two-thirds majority ad as a result the regio will be costructig 71 miles of rail i seve years. Committee Membership Stuart Adams, Carlos Alegre, Jeff Alexader, Michael Allegra, Zae Atkiso, Desmod Barker, Craig Bickmore, Thomas Bigham, Chris Bleak, Michael Brodsky, Keeth Bullock, Rey Butcher, Robert Campbell, Ric Catrell, Kristie Cartwright, Chuck Chappell, Rick Chesut, Wilford Clyde, Darrell Cook, Ed Cooper, David Creer, Gia Crezee, Toy Curtis, Jerry Dewey, Barto Drake, Carrie Du, Jeff Edwards, Daiel Eglad, Chris Esig, Bob Ett, Rolaye Fairclough, Chris Gamvroulas, Adrew Gemperlie, Stephe Goodrich, Robert Grow, Rady Halley, Tim Harpst, Bill Holder, Tom Hori, Joh Iglish, Da Johso, Rob Jolley, Sam Klemm, Steve Kroes, Mike Kurz, Christopher Kyler, Rick Lam, David Layto, Steve Lewis, Michael Log, Ala Lord, Thomas Love, Ala Matheso, Brett Oklad, Rady Oklad, Clark Olse, Jim Olse, Mike Ostermiller, Lee Peacock, Jaso Perry, Craig Peterso, Stuart Rose, Licol Shurtz, Howard Stepheso, David Stewart, Specer Stokes, Shelly Teuscher, Richard Thor, Clit Topham, Paul Va Sloote, Royce Va Tassell, Guy Wadsworth, Kip Wadsworth, Thomas Ware, LaVarr Webb, Doug White, Clare Williams, David Zimmerma P u b l i c P o l i c y G u i d e 15

18 ENERGY Utah s rock-bottom eergy prices are vital i attractig busiesses to Utah. As our eergy ifrastructure is earig capacity, it is critical that we maitai our competitive advatage i eergy by facilitatig eergy ivestmet that will fuel cotiued ecoomic growth. Jaso Perry Goveror s Office of Ecoomic Developmet CO-Chairs: Alexis Cairo, Vice Presidet, Rio Tito Commuicatio ad Exteral Relatios, Keecott Utah Compaies Carol Huter, Vice Presidet of Commuicatios ad Divisio Services, Rocky Moutai Power Statemet of Priciples Reliable, Affordable ad Sustaiable: We embrace eergy policies that promote reliable, affordable ad sustaiable eergy that will help secure cotiued ecoomic vitality. Prudet Regulatio: We support regulatory policies that promote Utah s logterm ecoomic success through wise ivestmet i eergy capacity. Comprehesive Policies: We recogize that eergy policy is itertwied with ecoomic ad evirometal policy. Eergy policies should be evaluated i a broad cotext Public Policy Priorities Streamlie Regulatory Processes: Utah should review regulatory processes to determie what reforms are ecessary to stimulate log-term ivestmet i Utah s eergy future. Necessary reform should be implemeted. Develop Log-term Strategy: The Chamber s Eergy Taskforce will develop comprehesive eergy strategy. This strategy will idetify ad recommed policies ad actios to mitigate the growth i the demad for eergy ad recommed policies that will facilitate affordable alteratives to CO2 emittig eergy processes. Address Eergy, Ecoomics ad the Eviromet: The Chamber will support policy that coordiates the state s eergy, ecoomic ad evirometal policies. 16 S a l t L a k e C h a m b e r

19 Recet Accomplishmets The Salt Lake Chamber coveed a Eergy Task Force i October The task force approved a work pla ad is egaged i providig solutios to this critical issue. Committee Membership Mayor Ralph Becker, Vicki Beett, Thomas Bigham, Bob Boar, Rey Butcher, Alexis Cairo, Mayor Peter Corroo, Jeff Edwards, Christia Garder, Joatha Hafe, Deis Haslam, Carol Huter, David Jese, Joh Kirkham, Deis Klaus, Sta Lockhart, A Marie Ober, Dave Pershig, Keith Rattie We must have a true balace of eergy values amog what is reasoable, what is affordable, what is sustaiable, ad what is doable. I believe that here i Utah we have the braipower ad the political will to do this. Represetative Kevi Gar, Majority Leader, Utah State House of Represetatives P u b l i c P o l i c y G u i d e 17

20 DOWNTOWN RISING Salt Lake City witessed a ladmark day i dowtow developmet whe Mayor Ralph Becker, Gov. Jo Hutsma ad LDS Church Presidig Bishop David Burto were preset to celebrate the ew site for a large theater ad the associated developmet dowtow. Bruce Bigham Hamilto Parters Leaders: Bruce Bigham, Chair, Dowtow Alliace Board of Trustees; Lae Beattie, Presidet ad CEO, Salt Lake Chamber; Jaso Mathis, Executive Director, Dowtow Alliace; Natalie Gochour, Chief Operatig Officer, Salt Lake Chamber Statemet of Priciples Heart of Our Regio: We recogize dowtow Salt Lake City as the ceter of commerce, trasportatio, arts, culture, law, fiace ad govermet i the Itermoutai Regio. Accordigly, we advocate public policies that maximize the historical ivestmet that has already occurred dowtow ad that will further solidify dowtow s role as the heart of our regio. Dowtow Developmet: We affirm that a vibrat metropolita commuity is a importat ecoomic egie for the etire regio ad support ecoomic developmet that eergizes dowtow to make the whole regio a more attractive place to live ad do busiess. Itercoected: We recogize the ecoomic relatioship betwee urba, suburba ad rural commuities ad support fair tax ad expediture policies that are focused o appropriate ecoomic developmet for all geographic areas Public Policy Priorities Mitigate Impact of Costructio: Proactively address the impact of costructio projects that may occur because of the uprecedeted amout of dowtow ivestmet. Implemet Dowtow Risig Visio: Implemet aspects of the Dowtow Risig visio, which icludes eight sigature projects, six defied character districts ad dozes of developmets i ad aroud dowtow. 18 S a l t L a k e C h a m b e r

21 Stregthe Dowtow: Support public policies that ehace dowtow Salt Lake City as a cosmopolita ceter of the ew America West. Areas of focus iclude, but are ot limited to, the followig: Sigificat ew ivestmet i TRAX light rail ad FrotRuer commuter rail The City Creek Ceter premier mixed use developmet that represets a uprecedeted ivestmet i dowtow Salt Lake City Utah Performace Ceter o Mai ad the adjacet mixed use developmet Covetio size hotel Utah film ceter Corporate headquarters recruitmet Hospitable, reasoable ad resposible liquor laws Revival of boarded up buildigs Dowtow master pla update Implemetatio of the Dowtow i Motio trasportatio master pla Reasoable ad sesitive restrictios o pahadlig OC Taer is pleased to be a part of the retail reaissace occurrig i our dowtow by ivestig $23 millio i the old city library/hase Plaetarium for our flagship store. Curtis Beett, OC Taer Recet Accomplishmets Selectio of Site for Broadway Style Theater: Mayor Becker aouced the selectio of 135 South Mai Street for the ew Utah Performace Ceter o Mai Costructio Headway: Dramatic progress o City Creek Ceter, which is curretly providig 700 costructio jobs ad will peak at 1,200 jobs. City Creek Ceter is also makig a positive impact o our eviromet by recyclig i excess of 50 percet of the decostructed materials. Toppig Off 222 Mai, a 22-story high-rise i the heart of Utah s skylie district was a highlight of the 2008 costructio seaso Brigig People Dowtow: 2008 saw the additio of umerous housig uits i the core dowtow area ad the completio of a feasibility study for a permaet dowtow public market. Improved Dowtow Trasportatio: FrotRuer Commuter Rail service coected Ogde ad Salt Lake City ad groudbreakig for FrotRuer which will coect Provo ad Salt Lake City. Groudbreakig also took place for the Airport TRAX light rail lie. Takig Salt Lake City Iteratioal: The World Trade Ceter-Utah received its official certificatio ad Delta Airlies bega ostop service from Salt Lake City to Paris ad from Salt Lake City to Tokyo. Reivigoratig Salt Lake City with a Uiversity Atmosphere: Steady progress o Salt Lake City s emergece as a Uiversity City with Salt Lake Commuity College s relocatio to Uiversity Blvd., Uiversity of Utah offerigs i dowtow office buildigs, relocatio of the LDS Busiess College to the Triad Ceter ad the opeig of the ew BYU Salt Lake Extesio dowtow P u b l i c P o l i c y G u i d e 19

22 20 S a l t L a k e C h a m b e r

23 Impact o busiess: Employmet Ceter: A successful dowtow reverberates throughout the etire ecoomic regio creatig more vibracy ad opportuity. Dowtow busiesses employ 65,000 people ad pay $2.36 billio i wages. Public policies that stregthe dowtow for corporate headquarters, local busiesses alog with arts ad culture make the etire regio stroger. Visitors: Dowtow Salt Lake City welcomes millios of visitors each year. The cetral busiess district s 3,000 hotel rooms serve as a base of operatios for busiess travelers, covetio visitors, skiers ad other visitors. More tha 330,000 covetio delegates visit Salt Lake every year, usig 480,000 room ights ad cotributig more tha $290 millio to Utah s ecoomy. As the gateway to our state, we all beefit from a welcomig, beautiful, friedly, clea ad prosperous dowtow. The Dowtow Risig visio fortifies these importat dowtow qualities. Retail Sales: Cosumers are the lifeblood of the ecoomy ad dowtow Salt Lake City is the beatig heart of retail sales for the etire regio. Dowtow features 2.2 millio square feet of retail space ad over $555 millio i retail sales. Policies that create a more cosumer-friedly retail eviromet dowtow beefit all of Utah. Arts ad Culture: Dowtow Salt Lake City has bee the ceter for arts ad culture sice 1862 whe city leaders built the Salt Lake Theatre. I 1899, the Utah Legislature created i Salt Lake City the first state arts agecy i the coutry. I subsequet years, premier cultural ameities such as the Capitol Theatre, Abravael Hall, the Rose Wager Performig Arts Ceter, Salt Lake Arts Ceter, Discovery Gateway, Clark Plaetarium, LDS Coferece Ceter ad Museum of Utah Art ad History have all bee located i a te-block area dowtow to form a core cultural district. The cocetratio of arts veues, fie hotels, restaurats ad trasportatio coectios makes dowtow the cultural core ad the preferred locatio for statewide arts ivestmet. Committee Membership: Scott Beck, Curtis Beett, Bruce Bigham, Jake Boyer, Specer Eccles, Joh Gates, Ket Gibso, David Golde, Tom Guiey, Deis Haslam, Scott Hymas, Clark Ivory, Diaa Kirk, Peggy Lader, Scott Parso, Gary Porter, Vasilios Priskos, Keith Rattie, Chris Redgrave, Rady Rigby, Robi Riggs, Albert Zimmerli Efficiet Use of Ifrastructure: Billios of dollars have bee ivested i highways, trasit, parkig ad other ifrastructure to support the capital city ad dowtow. We maximize this ivestmet, by utilizig it ad ot uecessarily replicatig it i suburba ad exurba locatios P u b l i c P o l i c y G u i d e 21

24 Iteratioal WORLD TRADE CENTER UTAH As a result of its uique strategic partership with the Salt Lake Chamber, the WTC Utah is positioed to provide extesive assessmet, educatio ad worldwide coectios to Chamber members throughout the state, especially through the global etwork of over 350 World Trade Ceters. LEADERS: Lew Cramer, Presidet ad CEO, World Trade Ceter Utah; Specer Eccles, Chair, Iteratioal Committee, Salt Lake Chamber Statemet of Priciples Ope Markets: The Salt Lake Chamber supports public policy that ecourages ope markets ad the full participatio of Utah compaies i the world ecoomy. Global Perspective: Public policy should take ito accout the global ature of competitio ad empower Utah busiesses to succeed i such a eviromet Public Policy Priorities Facilitate Soud Immigratio Policy: Support public policies that establish clear ad defiitive rules for immigratio that will ehace Utah s global competitiveess. Workforce Developmet: Idetify ad champio policies that establish a qualified workforce from which Utah employers ca draw. Health System Reform: Reduce the costs of health care to Utah compaies to level the playig field i global markets. Fiacial Support of WTC Utah: Support the Goveror s recommeded budget allocatios to GOED ad to the World Trade Ceter Utah. Recet Accomplishmets: Lew Cramer Presidet ad CEO of World Trade Ceter Utah Official Certificatio: I November 2008, WTC Utah received its Official Certificatio of Trade Services from the headquarters of the World Trade Ceters Associatio, which is grated to less tha thirty percet of the 350-plus World Trade Ceters aroud the globe. Visitig Digitaries: Together with its strategic parters (Salt Lake Chamber ad GOED), WTCU has sposored the visits of eight ambassadors i the fall of S a l t L a k e C h a m b e r

25 Busiess Facilitatig Iteratioal Busiess: The World Trade Ceter Utah has provided traiig ad educatioal semiars to assist Utah firms eterig iteratioal markets. Icreasig Exports: Utah s global presece icreased dramatically i Merchadise exports topped $10 billio, a ew record ad a more tha 35 percet icrease over previous years. Approximately 2,300 Utah compaies export goods ad 85 percet of these are small ad mediumsized compaies with fewer tha 500 employees. Impact o Busiess Through semiars, educatioal evets, idividual couselig ad trade missios, durig the past year WTC Utah has directly served the iteratioal eeds of over 350 Utah compaies ad exports from Utah cotiue to expad rapidly. Merchadise exports are expected to surpass $10 billio dollars i 2008, up from $7.2 billio i 2007, ad oly $4.1 billio i I Utah, oe out of every five maufacturig jobs depeds o exports. World Trade Ceter UTAH Board of Directors: Chairma: Jack Suderlage, Presidet/CEO of CotetWatch Lae Beattie, Presidet/CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber Jaso Perry, Executive Director of the Goveror s Office of Ecoomic Developmet H. David Burto, Presidig Bishop, LDS Church Greg Curtis, former Speaker of the House, Utah Legislature* Joh Valetie, State Seator * A. Scott Aderso, Presidet/CEO of Zios Bak Brya Davis, Foudig Board Member, Xago LLC Natalie Gochour, COO Salt Lake Chamber Ala Hall, CEO of Marketstar Corporatio Richard Nelso, Presidet/CEO of Utah Techology Coucil Diesh Patel, Maagig Director of V Sprig Capital Paul Savage, Parter, Attorey at Law, Kirto & McCokie Michael Youg, Presidet of the Uiversity of Utah Ladd Christese, Fouder of Global Bridge David Golde, EVP, Wells Fargo Bak Greg Miller, CEO, Miller Group of Compaies David Golde, Executive Vice Presidet, Wells Fargo Over 2,000 Utah compaies export goods 85 percet of those compaies are small or medium sized busiesses. Icreased exports have created over 20,000 jobs i the past three years. * Ex Officio Members P u b l i c P o l i c y G u i d e 23

26 Legislative Affairs The Salt Lake Chamber is without equal i the Utah busiess world i gettig its message heard i the halls of the Capitol, i both the Goveror s Office ad the Legislature. It is the most ifluetial busiess group i the state. Rey Butcher Director, Govermet Relatios, Questar Chair: Rey Butcher Statemet of Priciples Prudet ad Limited Regulatio: The Chamber believes that the proper role of govermet is to facilitate a positive busiess eviromet with prudet ad limited regulatio based o market priciples. Ivest i Ifrastructure: Facilitatig ecoomic growth ad protectig the eviromet requires ivestmet i log-term trasportatio ad eergy capacity. Such ivestmet ot oly provides a immediate ecoomic stimulus, it also esures the future competitiveess of Utah busiess. Ivolve Busiess: The ability of busiess iterests to be heard by local, state, ad atioal policymakers is essetial to maitaiig the ecoomic vitality of Utah s busiesses ad the quality of life Utahs have come to ejoy. Moitorig legislatio is critical to prevetig udue restrictios o busiess iterest ad ecoomic vitality ad advocatig proactively to ehace ecoomic growth ad establish a positive busiess climate Public Policy Priorities Prevet passage of legislatio that is ufavorable to the iterest of the busiess commuity ad proactively seek passage of legislatio to ehace ecoomic growth ad cotiue a eviromet i which busiesses ca cotiue to prosper. 24 S a l t L a k e C h a m b e r

27 Public Policy Team Over 200 busiess leaders represet their compaies o our public policy committees Scott Parso Public Policy Chair Vicki Varela Public Policy Co-Chair Lae Beattie Presidet ad CEO Natalie Gochour Chief Operatig Officer Robi Riggs Vice Presidet ad Geeral Cousel Wesley Smith Director of Public Policy Marty Carpeter Director of Commuicatio ad Marketig Jaso Mathis Executive Director, Dowtow Alliace Carla Wiese Ecoomic Developmet Director, Dowtow Alliace Examples Of Public Policy Positios Held By The Chamber Public Policy Team: Presidet, Utah State Seate; Vice Presidet Public Policy, Keecott Lad; Associate Geeral Cousel, Utah Legislature; Director of Commuicatios, Salt Lake Covetio & Visitors Bureau; Executive Director; Ogde Valley Lad Trust; Chief Ecoomist, Goveror s Office; Staff of Seator Orri Hatch; Deputy Director, Goveror s Office of Plaig ad Budget; Deputy Chief of Staff, Goveror Mike Leavitt; Chairma, Natioal Seate Presidets Forum; Geeral Cousel, Goveror of Utah; Utah State Parks ad Recreatio Board Chair; Law Clerk, The White House Office of Cousel to the Presidet; Associate Admiistrator, Public Affairs, Evirometal Protectio Agecy; Executive Committee of the Natioal Coferece of State Legislatures; Vice Presidet for Policy ad Law, Qwest; US Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100; Board Member, Federal Home Loa Bak; Assistat Commissioer of Higher Educatio; Corporate Maager for Media Relatios, Itermoutai Healthcare; Member, Cogressma Chris Cao Immigratio Advisory Committee; Couselor to the Secretary, Departmet of Health ad Huma Services; Executive Director, Oquirrh Alliace; Co-Chair, Uited Way Fiacial Stability Coucil; Executive Director, Utah Costitutioal Revisio Commissio; Director of Policy ad Commuicatios, Goveror s Office; Presidet, Salt Lake Chapter, Public Relatios Society of America; Chief State Olympic Officer, State of Utah; Executive Director, Immigratio Policy Coalitio; Utah Sports Commissio Executive Committee; Board Member, Utah Trasit Authority Awards Taxpayers Advocate Award; Wasatch Woma of the Year; Distiguished Utah Award, BYU Maagemet Society; Gold Medal for Exceptioal Service, Evirometal Protectio Agecy; Utah Busiess Magazie Trailblazer Award; Weber State Uiversity Distiguished Service Award; Coect Magazie Readers Choice: Top 25 People Drivig Busiess i Utah; Utah Busiess Magazie 40 Wome to Watch (2); The Natioal Republica Leader of the Year Award; Utah Busiess Magazie 40 uder 40 Advaced Degrees Masters of Busiess Admiistratio, Uiversity of Chicago Graduate School of Busiess; Juris Doctorate, The George Washigto Uiversity Law School; Masters of Public Admiistratio, Ceter for Public Policy ad Admiistratio, Uiversity of Utah; Masters of Sciece, Ecoomics, Uiversity of Utah; Juris Doctorate, Brigham Youg Uiversity; Masters of Public Admiistratio, Brigham Youg Uiversity; Accredited Public Relatios, Public Relatios Society of America Total Years of Public POLICY Experiece:137

28 The Salt Lake Chamber represets approximately 4,200 busiesses statewide, ad more tha 350,000 employees approximately oe third of Utah s workforce. We are a statewide busiess associatio The largest i Utah represetig busiesses from each couty i Utah as well as busiesses i 13 other states ad Washigto, D.C. May of Utah s largest busiesses are members, ad more tha 75 percet of our dues-payig members are compaies with 50 or fewer employees. Salt Lake Chamber Board of Goverors Joh Adams Presidet Sta Albrecht Carlos Alegre Jeff Alexader Deborah Bayle Lae Beattie Scott Beck Ralph Becker Bruce Bigham Jaet Bigham Presidet Cythia Bioteau Mark Bouchard Jake Boyer Terry Bucker Loie Bullard Chris Burbak Bishop David Burto Keith Buswell Alexis Cairo Sam Clark Wilford Clyde Ke Cobur Mayor Peter Corroo Lew Cramer Joh Dahlstrom Michael Dale Raymod Dardao Specer Eccles Jeff Edwards Clito Esig David Etwistle Raymod Etcheverry Chip Everest Jerry Fe Chris Gamvroulas Christia Garder Robert Gariger David Golde Tom Guiey Bill Haberstock Joatha Hafe Da Harbeke Deis Haslam Eric Hauestei Gordy Haycock Tom Hori Kirk Huffaker Carol Huter Scott Hymas Scott Ideso Joh Iglish Clark Ivory David Jese Joatha Johso Marcus Johso Seator Pat Joes Diaa Kirk Joh Kirkham Joel Kolb Debbie Kotter Barkley Peggy Lader Charlie Lasche Daiel Lofgre Bret Low Steve Ludgre Bill Maig William Moreto Prescott Muir Richard Nelso Robert Nilse Brett Oklad Scott Parso Jaso Perry Mike Phillips Ray Pickup Kevi Piegar Gary Porter Vasilios Priskos Keith Rattie Joh Redd Chris Redgrave Amy Rees Aderso Jill Remigto Love Rady Rigby Do Schulties Jill Taylor Paul Torres Steve Tyler Paul Va Sloote Vicki Varela Gle Watkis Do Whyte Natha Wickizer McKell Withers Adrea Wolcott Rick Woodbury A-Marie Wright Presidet Michael Youg Albert Zimmerli Dari Zwick Salt Lake Chamber Board of Goverors Executive Committee Lae Beattie Bruce Bigham Jake Boyer Specer Eccles David Golde Tom Guiey Scott Hymas Clark Ivory Diaa Kirk Scott Parso Vasilios Priskos Keith Rattie Chris Redgrave Albert Zimmerli 175 E. Uiversity Blvd. (400 So.) #600 Salt Lake City, Utah