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.
TEL AVIV – The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is proud to have played host earlier this year to events featuring three of the leading Republican presidential contenders: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. I expect we will welcome additional candidates from both parties in…
Read MoreYou’ll be forgiven if you’ve lost count. It can get confusing keeping track of the all the rules and regulations the Obama administration has put forward that make growing a business and managing your workforce more difficult and more expensive. The latest in a long list of bad ideas came down Tuesday, with word…
Read MoreDuring an address before a joint session of the Indiana State Legislature, Ronald Reagan once quipped, “If the Federal Government had been around when the Creator was putting His hand to this State, Indiana wouldn’t be here. It’d still be waiting for an environmental impact statement.” These remarks were from a speech given in 1982,…
Read MoreArizona voters next year will likely be asked whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry will oppose any such legalization efforts. We arrived at our decision after careful consideration of the experiences of other states that have legalized marijuana, the arguments of proponents and research by our…
Read MoreThis week marked National Charter Schools Week, which for this father of three has meant a chance to reflect on what school choice and charters schools have meant in my own household. All three of my daughters attend outstanding public charter schools; two attend BASIS Scottsdale and another is at a Great Hearts school. These are two Arizona born…
Read MoreArizona is a great place for millennials. It’s the perfect example of an ideal state for our generation to live, work, and play. We are the generation of start-ups, entrepreneurs and Internet campaigns, with a burning desire to express our innovative ideas. And in November 2014, we solidified Arizona as the ideal breeding ground for…
Read MoreGUADALAJARA, MEXICO – I’m in Mexico’s second-largest city for a few days this week as part of a trade delegation led by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. Mayor Stanton has made forging stronger ties between the business communities of greater Phoenix and our state’s largest trading partner, Mexico, a top priority, with the goal of doubling…
Read MoreGovernor Doug Ducey promised an administration that would move at the speed of business. His first legislative session proved true to his word. The session was lightning-quick at 81 days, the fastest since 1968. Together the governor and Legislature passed into law over 300 bills, many of which will significantly enhance Arizona’s business environment, making our…
Read MoreSteve Macias I had the privilege of attending the Arizona Chamber luncheon earlier this week to hear from Sen. John McCain and Sen. Jeff Flake, and it struck me how fortunate we are in Arizona to have two such principled men representing our state and our country. By virtue of the fact that between the…
Read MoreAt the outset of Gov. Doug Ducey’s administration, he proclaimed that Arizona should be the nation’s “pace leader” in job creation. He and the Legislature are off to a good start. Bills are making their way to the governor’s desk that enhance our tax, regulatory and civil justice environments, strengthening what CEO Magazine has already…
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