SACCA unveils 2009 legislative agenda

The Southern Arizona Chamber of Commerce Alliance (SACCA) unveiled its 2009 legislative agenda, introducing the issues it will look to address with the Arizona Legislature when the new session begins in January.

Some issues were addressed in the last legislative session, with bills getting through the state houses but vetoed by Gov. Janet Napolitano. The agenda is sweeping, from reform of the state’s ballot-initiative process to tort reform to immigration. Following are some highlights of the business-related issues of interest in southern Arizona:   

Initiative Reform: Permit legislative changes to voter-approved initiatives with voter ratification. Support a review of initiatives prior to implementation to determine fiscal or other implications.
Tort Reform: Seek legislation to remove incentives to file frivolous lawsuits.
Taxation/Budget: Support permanent repeal of the state property tax. Seek elimination of business personal property tax or raising threshold to exempt more small businesses.
Education: Oppose efforts to lower or eliminate AIMS standards. Support strategic spending proposals for K-12 and higher education. Support efforts to make higher education more accessible.
Labor/Workforce Management: Support a thorough review of workers’ compensation laws, especially as they relate to impact on premiums. Oppose repeal of the state “Right to Work” law.
Immigration: Oppose unfunded mandates regarding local enforcement of federal laws. Support reimbursement of all local immigration-related expenses (law enforcement, education, health care).
Environment/Natural Resources: Support legislation that allows counties to pass ordinances against water waste.
Economic Development: Support the military in our region and oppose efforts to reduce operations. Support the timely completion of a statewide study of home affordability. Support statewide economic-development strategies to encourage business attraction and expansion.
Healthcare: Support reinstatement of coverage for groups of one. Support tort reform that would lower health insurance costs. Oppose legislation that would require employer-provided benefits.
Transportation: Support multi-modal transportation options through the state’s growth corridors, which may include high-speed rail from Phoenix to Tucson. Support Congressional delegation’s efforts to procure federal transportation money for the state.  

The Southern Arizona Chamber of Commerce Alliance (SACCA) is a group of eight southern Arizona chambers of commerce, representing more than 4,500 member businesses and 200,000 employees, serving as an advocate for common business interests in the region. Member chambers are the Tucson Metropolitan, Tucson Hispanic, Tucson GLBT, Northern Pima County, Marana, Sierra Vista, Rio Rico and Nogales-Santa Cruz County.