In the late 90s I had the privilege of serving as Rep. Matt Salmon’s legislative director and chief of staff. Later, when Sen. Jon Kyl sought re-election in 2006, I was the executive director of the state GOP, which Matt chaired. To say that he has played a huge role in my professional life would…
Read MoreWe will know soon enough if it works, but the unions and company completely carpet-bombed state Sen. John McComish. Below is a letter that a number of McComish’s friends in the job creation community have signed. If McComish gets through it is only as a result of his outstanding and independent service over the years…
Read MoreOver the next 72 hours or so, I’ll be sharing my Election Day thoughts, including previews and postgame wrap-up. The U.S. House There was a point in time about a month ago where a flip of control of the U.S. House seemed possible. But now it’s a virtual lock that the GOP will stay in…
Read MoreIf you have the opportunity, please take a look at Thursday’s editorial in the Wall Street Journal that looks at the coming automatic and drastic spending cuts that are about to hit the Department of Defense. As I wrote in a recent column, the formal name for these automatic cuts is called sequestration, a budgetary…
Read MoreFrom Katie Whitchurch, Director of Government Relations: Earlier this afternoon, I stood in the upper gallery of a courtroom in the Sandra Day O’Connor U.S. Courthouse in downtown Phoenix and watched as 99 people from 37 different countries took the oath of citizenship. Ninety-nine people in every shape, size, age and nationality, but each story…
Read MoreBy Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Mark Dobbins I believe I have observed a new truth. That is, the 2012 US Presidential campaign seems only to mock economic reality. Reality for the vast majority of Americans is neither politically left or right. The people I know and those I meet in this great…
Read MoreFrom our friends at Greenberg Traurig: Effective January 1, 2012, Arizona’s minimum wage increased to $7.65 per hour, an increase of $0.30 per hour from the previous minimum wage. This increase applies to most Arizona employers. In 2006, Arizona voters approved Proposition 202, which set a state minimum wage that is tied to fluctuations in…
Read MoreThe Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry welcomed special guest and featured speaker Treasurer Doug Ducey on December 8th at the Eggs & Issues Breakfast at the downtown Phoenix Sheraton Hotel. Nearly 100 individuals attended the breakfast sponsored by Alliance Bank to hear from Arizona’s Treasurer who was elected to his first term on November…
Read MoreWritten by Katie Whitchurch, Director of Government Relations Over the course of the last month, Arizona has been home to a number of exciting events related to international diplomacy and trade: On Thursday, November 10th, the Arizona Council for International Visitors held the first annual “Celebration of Citizen Diplomacy” at the Musical Instrument Museum in…
Read MoreFrom Director of Government Relations, Katie Whitchurch: Last week I was fortunate to attend the US Chamber Regional Government Affairs Conference in Chicago. It was a fantastic conference filled with knowledgeable speakers and the latest information on a broad range of topics. Some of those included: Deficit Reduction and the Super Committee – The top…
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