View the latest Arizona Chamber policy commentary from President & CEO Glenn Hamer. Click on the links below to view our collection of Bottom Line columns.
EPA ozone overreach puts Arizona economy at risk Glenn Hamer and Jay Timmons March 3, 2016 When manufacturing succeeds, America succeeds. For some, manufacturing may not seem relevant to their daily lives. But in reality, manufacturers are driving Arizona’s—and the country’s—success every day. In 2015, manufacturing accounted for 155,400 jobs in Arizona, paying an average…
Read MorePension reform is up to us Glenn Hamer February 26, 2016 Friends, The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports Proposition 124, a very important and welcome reform to our state’s Public Safety Personnel Retirement System. As you’ve read in previous columns, state Sen. Debbie Lesko deserves tremendous credit for getting this bill to the finish…
Read MoreFixing a legislative short circuit Glenn Hamer February 19, 2016 The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry in this year’s legislative session is working to advance legislation that will exempt manufacturers from paying sales tax on their electricity and natural gas consumption. No, you’re not reading one of my columns from 2014. Two years ago I…
Read MoreArizona: The Cambridge of the West Glenn Hamer February 12, 2016 Arizona has proven that school choice works, sparking the growth of some of the nation’s best public charter school networks. Accountability, too, has supported whole system improvement, with Arizona’s NAEP scores leading the country in closing the achievement gap. We’ve improved, but good isn’t…
Read MoreFrom the Chamber Notebook: Pension, legal and statewide assessment reforms emerge in legislative session Glenn Hamer February 5, 2016 Public pension reform package the product of hard work by all sides. State Sen. Debbie Lesko is a warrior. The senator from Peoria for nearly a year has taken on a challenge that many considered an…
Read MoreNumber 1 state for school choice? Arizona! Glenn Hamer January 29, 2016 More than 2,000 parents, students, teachers, policymakers and school choice supporters this morning gathered at the state Capitol to celebrate the opportunities and excellent educational options available to Arizona families. Our state’s leaders, from Sen. John McCain to Gov. Doug Ducey, are talking…
Read MoreA monumental mistake Glenn Hamer January 22, 2016 The Arizona Chamber Foundation and the Prosper Foundation just released their joint policy brief entitled, “The Proposed Grand Canyon Watershed National Monument: A Monumental Mistake?” If you didn’t think a policy paper on state and federal land management could be a page-turner, then you haven’t read this paper. It…
Read MoreThis is Arizona’s season Glenn Hamer January 8, 2016 When Clemson and Alabama meet in Monday night’s College Football Championship, the two teams and their fans will be contributing to Arizona’s national reputation as America’s best sports tourism market. We have teams from four big-time professional sports that call Arizona home, one of which is…
Read MoreThe 2015 Hammer Awards Glenn Hamer December 31, 2015 It’s the time of year we’ve all been waiting for. Before we turn the calendar over to 2016, it’s time for Glenn Hamer’s annual super-sized Hammer Awards, where the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry president and CEO recognizes those whose accomplishments deserve a final shout-out,…
Read MoreMovin’ on up Glenn Hamer December 24, 2015 Arizona unwrapped an early present this week with news that our state’s population count has eclipsed Massachusetts and has moved into the number 14 slot nationally. People and businesses vote with their feet. If your state is growing, it’s a decent indication that your state is doing…
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