2016 federal
priorities A SUPPLEMENT TO THe PUBLIC POLICY GUIDE
Voice of Business in Washington As a statewide chamber of commerce, representing nearly 8000 businesses, the Salt Lake Chamber is “Utah’s Business Leader.” We are a capital city chamber with a statewide mission. We stand as the voice of business, support our members’ success and champion community prosperity. Annually the Salt Lake Chamber brings representatives from Utah’s business and civic community to Washington, D.C. to meet with key members of Congress, White House officials, cabinet members, military leaders, business executives and thought leaders. This trip is recognized as one of Utah’s leading legislative trips to the nation’s capital, featuring small group advocacy meetings, senior level briefings and exclusive special events. The trip also serves an important role, as a main priority for the Salt Lake Chamber is our year-round legislative advocacy efforts on the federal level. This document is a consolidation of key federal priorities included in the Salt Lake Chamber’s Public Policy Guide. It is updated bi-annually before every Washington, D.C. trip and in January of every year.
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2016 FEDERAL PRIORITIES
Utah’s Federal Delegation, As the nation decides on our next President, it is imperative that Utah’s business community continues to be heard in Washington, D.C. Though the national economy is underperforming, Utah has a different story to tell. Its job growth ranks among the top states in the country, unemployment is at a seven-year low and businesses have added more than 200,000 jobs since the recession. Utah is emerging as a technology and advanced-manufacturing hub, with a dynamic downtown and an increasingly diversified economy. But the “Best State for Business” can only do so much. We need strong business leadership in Washington. Over the past year, we have worked together to help pass a long-term transportation bill, permit-streamlining legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act, the Defense of Trade Secrets Act, and to authorize Trade Promotion Authority. We thank you for your leadership on these issues. It is critical that local and national leaders continue to grow our economy by working together. Partisan politics, resulting in gridlock, damage such efforts. Over the next few months, we urge your support in advancing the key priorities outlined in this document. We appreciate your leadership and commitment to working with Utah’s business interests and job creators. Sincerely,
Keith McMullin Chair
Lane Beattie President and CEO
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Partnership with the U.S. Chamber We actively work with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as the world’s largest business organization to advance shared priorities important to Utah businesses and share our voice in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, at its board meeting on Wednesday, June 8th, 2016 awarded a five-star accreditation to the Salt Lake Chamber for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact within in the state of Utah.
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STAR-ACCREDITATION
This past April, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released its How They Voted scorecard, an effort that began 50 years ago, and honored all four Utah members of the House of Representatives which include Congressmen Rob Bishop, Chris Stewart, Jason Chaffetz and Congresswoman Mia Love, as well as Senator Orrin G. Hatch with its annual Spirit of Enterprise Award, given in recognition of their support of pro-growth, pro-jobs policies during the second session of the 113th Congress. Taken from a Salt Lake Chamber Press Release “This recognition shows that the best state for business has superior representation in our nation’s capital. Last year, Congress advanced key priorities for the business community and our delegation was a focal point for success,” said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “The influence that each member of Utah’s delegation has on key national issues gives our state an outsized impact. On behalf of Utah’s business leaders, I just want to express how fortunate and thankful we are to have their leadership and support.”
U.S. CHAMBER SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE RECIPIENTS SENATOR ORRIN G. HATCH CONGRESSMAN ROB BISHOP (UT-1) CONGRESSMAN CHRIS STEWART (UT-2) CONGRESSMAN JASON CHAFFETZ (UT-3) CONGRESSWOMAN MIA LOVE (UT-4) 3
2016 FEDERAL PRIORITIES
Top Issues for 2016 ADVANCING TRADE
MAKING OUR TAX CODE COMPETITIVE
ACTION ON IMMIGRATION
SMART REGULATION REFORM
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Advancing Trade Utah is a global business destination. We need Congress to support our efforts to access new markets and help Utah businesses to compete in the global marketplace. The Salt Lake Chamber was a major proponent of authorizing the Trade Promotion Authority and urge Utah’s delegation to work towards passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2016. Understanding that these are complex agreements, we support efforts by the delegation to address key concerns. However, the TPP is critical to the future growth of trade, jobs, prosperity and competitiveness of the United States, and for Utah in particular. Our state exported $1.1 billion worth of agricultural products and $3.4 billion of manufactured goods to TPP countries in 2015, and $1.6 billion of services to TPP countries in 2014. International trade, both exports and imports of goods and services, supported more than 387,000 Utah jobs – more than 1 in 5 – in 2014. By cutting tariffs and red tape, and eliminating other market distortions on our goods, installing critical new rules for the digital economy and services trade, and establishing stronger protections for transparency, innovation and intellectual property – subject to strong enforcement – the TPP will help our manufacturers, innovators, service providers, and farmers and ranchers export more, produce more and thereby support more jobs in Utah. As congressional leaders and the administration work to address some outstanding issues and agree on a path for a successful vote this year, we urge Utah’s delegation to move forward on a strong, market-opening TPP this year.
Exports and imports $1.1 billion
$1.6 billion
$3.4 billion
exported agricultural products in 2015
exported services in 2014
exported manufactured goods in 2015
over 387,000 - more than 1 in 5 jobs provided Source: Business Roundtable
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2016 FEDERAL PRIORITIES
Making Our Tax Code Competitive Utah’s business environment and tax code are some of the most competitive in the nation. But globally it’s really the law of averages. Our nation’s tax code is a drag on growth, wages, and global competitiveness. Utah businesses will increasingly struggle to compete around the world and remain strong at home if we don’t modernize our antiquated and complex national tax code. Utah businesses need national tax reform. Among all industrialized countries the U.S. corporate tax rate now is the highest, meaning Utah companies are losing their comparative and competitive advantages. And that’s before accounting for antiquated international tax rules. We hope you will work with the new president, regardless of party, to promote job creation and economic growth through tax reform. According to the Business Roundtable, the failure of the United States to keep our corporate rate competitive with other countries reduces wages by 1.0 to 1.2 percent and reduces gross domestic product (GDP) by 1.5 to 2.6 percent. Utah’s economy and job creators – and the families they support - can no longer bear the burden of inaction. We need tax reform. We believe that federal tax reform must be addressed and will actively work with elected leaders to find the best process, approach and options for meaningful tax reform.
2016 Public Policy Guide Statement
We support tax policies that strengthen Utah’s economy and properly balance tax simplicity, efficiency, fairness, revenue sufficiency and transparency.
2 012
39.1%
70,000+
1,650,000
U.S. Employers face the highest corporate tax rate of any major country
pages of instruction to filing taxes
man hours spent by businesses preparing and filing tax returns in 2012
Sources: US Chamber of Commerce and Tax Foundation W W W. S L C H A M B E R . C O M
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Action on Immigration An improved immigration system is critical to the well-being and future growth of Utah’s economy. Throughout our history, America has had the opportunity to grow and thrive because we have attracted and welcomed the most talented and the hardest working people to our shores. However, the current debate surrounding immigration is at complete odds with not only Utah’s business community, but also our community at large. Just six years ago, Utah’s business, community and religious leaders changed the discussion on immigration reform with the Utah Compact. This declaration of principled immigration reform transformed a toxic debate locally to one built around shared community values. Today, we need that same leadership to guide our national debate back to one based on facts, compassion and action. The time has not only come, but is well past due for action on immigration at the federal level. Commonsense immigration reform would boost economic growth, create jobs, and spur innovation and entrepreneurship. And it would renew America’s legacy of being an open and welcoming country where anyone who works hard can achieve his or her dreams. In 2013, we called on Utah’s federal delegation to step up to the plate and advance comprehensive immigration reform. Our senior senator delivered as best he could. However, the failure of comprehensive immigration reform in the House was and is unacceptable. It is important all six members of our federal delegation understand that Utah’s business community strongly supports fixing America’s broken immigration system and advancing broad immigration reform that is consistent with the principles of the Utah Compact. This must include national visa reform such as the bipartisan I-Squared Act, which is a concrete solution to meeting our state’s current talent shortage.
principles of the utah compact
Federal Solutions
Law Enforcement
Learn more at www.UtahCompact.com
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2016 FEDERAL PRIORITIES
Families
$
Economy
A Free Society
Smart Regulation Reform Overly complex and costly federal regulations are holding Utah’s - and our nation’s economy - back. This throttles investment and slows business growth. Utah deserves a working national regulatory system that is fair for everyone, takes into account the views of communities and businesses, evaluates the impact rules will have on jobs and small businesses, and protects our economic and personal freedoms. Regulation has an important role in our economy, creating a level playing field for business while protecting public safety and the environment. And a modern, balanced and transparent regulatory system gives businesses the confidence they need to hire, invest and innovate. These types of regulations encourage capital investment, remove uncertainty, improve transparency, reduce the burden on business and protect the public and the environment. The Salt Lake Chamber is actively working to develop an action-oriented agenda for smart federal, state and local regulations reform. At the federal level, we must instill greater accountability in federal regulations that often present the major regulatory cost to business. Federal reform should also include removing outdated or outmoded regulations and smarter regulation through improved data-driven checks and balances. We appreciate the leadership of Senator Mike Lee, Senator Orrin Hatch, Congresswoman Mia Love and Congressman Chris Stewart for advancing sensible and smart regulatory reforms. We hope the rest of delegation will join them to improve the transparency and accountability of the regulatory process.
2016 PUBLIC POLICY GUIDE STATEMENT We support local, state and federal regulatory reform efforts that reduce the regulatory burden on business, remove outdated or outmoded regulations, improve data-driven decision-making and ensure regulators abide by overarching principles and performance metrics.
$2 trillion
$9,991
2%
price tag in compliance costs for Federal Regulations
average cost per employee of Federal Regulations
average loss per year (1949-2005) in GDP from Federal Regulations
Sources: Crain and Crain, 2014; Dawson and Seater, 2013. W W W. S L C H A M B E R . C O M
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Agenda Highlights MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH
Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Orrin G. Hatch, U.S. Senator for Utah
“Influence. Effectiveness. Vision. A Conversation with Tom Donohue, President of the U.S. Chamber and Senator Orrin Hatch hosted by the U.S. Chamber.”
Sponsored by
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2016 FEDERAL PRIORITIES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH Rob Bishop (UT-1), Congressman
Gary Herbert, Governor, State of Utah
“Tour of Ford Theatre Celebrating 100 Years of our Nation’s National Parks” with Congressman Bishop, Chair of House Natural Resources Committee.
“The Utah Way: Innovation, Effectiveness and Collaboration.”
Arthur C. Brooks, President of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
Robert Doar, Morgridge Fellow in Poverty Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
“Government, Fairness, Economic Opportunity, happiness, and the Morality of Free Enterprise.”
“Real Solutions to the Complex Challenges of Poverty.”
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Agenda Highlights WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST R. Bruce Josten, Executive Vice President for Government Affairs
Mike Lee, U.S. Senator for Utah
“After the Election: Prospects for Business’ Priorities in Washington.”
“Happenings on the Hill: Colloquium and Jello with Senator Mike Lee and Guests.”
Matthew Noyes, Cyber Policy Advisor at U.S. Secret Service
Peter Lord, Senior Director for Global Strategy and Policy at Oracle
“The Business Case for Cybersecurity.”
“The Business Case for Cybersecurity.”
Jason Chaffetz (UT-3), Congressman “Media and Politics: A discussion on the changing landscape of covering and advancing policy in the 21st century.”
Mia Love (UT-4), Congresswoman
Jeb Hensarling, Chairman
“Wall Street of the West: The Impact of Financial Services.” Congresswoman Mia Love and Chairman Jeb Hensarling, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.”
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2016 FEDERAL PRIORITIES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND | PROGRAM ENDS AT 2:00PM Errol R. Schwartz, Major General at U.S. National Guard
Chris Stewart (UT-2), Congressman
Guarding our Nation’s Capitol.
“America’s Role in the World: A Conversation with Congressman Chris Stewart.”
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Salt Lake Chamber’s Public Policy and Government Relations Initiatives As Utah’s Business Leader, the Salt Lake Chamber has a comprehensive strategy to engage, communicate and advocate for pro-business public policy. Almost without exception, every major event and accomplishment in Salt Lake—and Utah more broadly—has felt the influence of the Chamber. The Chamber fills an essential function within our community. Government cannot fill this function—for often the Chamber must challenge the government’s direction. A narrow industry group cannot fill this function—because the voice of any particular industry is not strong enough to protect even their own interests. Only the Chamber can stand up for the broad-based needs of the business community. Only the Chamber can give legitimate claim to “The Voice of Business.” As the voice of business, the Salt Lake Chamber develops principles, policies and positions on major issues affecting Utah businesses. Key to this effort is the work of policy-related committees, subcommittees, task forces and councils involving more than 850 representatives of member corporations, organizations and the academic community who serve voluntarily. In almost every instance, significant public policy issue positions originate with one of these Chamber components. Participation on a committee by a member is not explicit support for any one position. To learn more at www.slchamber.com
Public Policy and Government Relations team
Lane Beattie President and CEO 801-328-5073 lbeattie@slchamber.com
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Abby Albrecht Director of Government Relations 801-831-6116 aalbrecht@slchamber.com
2016 FEDERAL PRIORITIES
Michael Parker, MPP Director of Public Policy 801-541-8466 mmparker@slchamber.com
Civic Engagement Business leaders are concerned about declining civic engagement. We support the elections reform compromise reached with the Count My Vote initiative and Legislature in 2014 to give Utah voters more choices, convenience and accountability. It is a priority of the Board of Governors to actively participate in this year’s caucuses, signature gathering processes, primaries and the 2016 general election.
SEATS UP FOR ELECTION IN 2016: STATE OF UTAH EXECUTIVE BRANCH
LEGISLATURE House 75/75 (100%)
Senate 16/29 (55%)
Governor & Lt. Governor Attorney General State Treasurer State Auditor
SEATS UP FOR ELECTION IN 2016: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BRANCH President & Vice President
UTAH’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION Senate 1/2 (50%) House 4/4 (100%)
As a matter of policy and principle, the Salt Lake Chamber focuses on discretion, transparency and community engagement. We encourage members of Utah’s business community to actively participate in the political process. The Salt Lake Chamber endorses policies that help to fulfill our mission, but our organization does not endorse political parties or individual political candidates, including financial contributions to political campaigns.
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