SALT LAKE CHAMBER
2021 FEDERAL PRIORITIES
To Utah’s Federal Delegation: Though we still have adversities to overcome, the Utah business community is grateful to its federal delegation for the vigilance and support it has offered in response to the economic and other challenges associated with Covid-19. Your leadership helped our state secure necessary funds to keep businesses going, employees paid, and hope alive. The Chamber has a motto that embodies the way we can most effectively approach big challenges. Simply, it is: “Common Ground.” In our commitment to stand as the voice of business in Utah, our focus is on finding the common ground among disparate views. This allows us to work together for the greater, collective good. It provides unity and an opportunity for clear communications with you who represent us in Washington, D.C. And it creates a foundation upon which we can stand as we advocate for Utah and those principles that have made us the brightest star on the flag. While the challenges of the pandemic are still with us, we are optimistic that continued vaccination and public health best practices will win the day. This means we have an opportunity to increase emphasis on some of the persistent concerns facing our members and citizens. For example, increasing our efforts to address the housing crisis, putting attention on our long-term water challenges, and developing tools to assist members fighting the workforce shortage. Immigration reform, investment in innovation and infrastructure, and securing our energy also remain key areas we seek federal support. These priorities focus on both immediate needs and long-term goals, and we know they are important to you, as well, particularly as you represent vital members of the Utah family. In these efforts, we are proud to stand with you. Together our efforts will continue to make Utah the place where families thrive, communities grow, and the economy offers opportunity for all. Sincerely,
Derek Miller President & CEO
Gary B. Porter 2021-2022 Board Chair
ABOUT The Salt Lake Chamber is Utah’s largest and longest-standing business association. A statewide chamber of commerce with members in all 29 Utah counties, the Chamber represents the broad interests of the state’s 63,000-plus employers, which employ more than 1.4 million Utahns. This includes thousands of Chamber members and their employees. With roots that date back to 1887, the Chamber stands as the voice of business, supports its members’ success and champions community prosperity.
5-STAR ACCREDITATION In June 2021, the United States Chamber of Commerce awarded the Salt Lake Chamber with 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the community. “This achievement and national recognition are a reflection of our staff and their professional commitment. Receiving the 5-Star Accreditation is a tremendous honor, as we are the only chamber in Utah to achieve this status. We could not have done this without the support of our member businesses, from our efforts to lead out during the pandemic to maintaining the high standards of our traditional chamber work. The past year has brought out the best in our team and to see these efforts pay off with the renewed elite accreditation status is rewarding on so many levels.” - Derek Miller, president and CEO, Salt Lake Chamber
FOR MORE INFORMATION Ginger Chinn, Vice President of Public Policy Salt Lake Chamber Mobile: 801.498.0121 gchinn@slchamber.com
UTAH’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
SEN. MIKE LEE
SEN. MITT ROMNEY
• The Senate Judiciary Committee • Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation • Energy and Natural Resources • Joint Economic Committee • Special Committee on Aging
• Senate Foreign Relations Committee • Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) • Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee • Senate Committee on the Budget
REP. CHRIS STEWART
REP. JOHN CURTIS
• House Appropriations Committee • House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
• House Energy and Commerce Committee
REP. BURGESS OWENS
REP. BLAKE MOORE
• House Education and Labor Committee • House Judiciary Committee
• House Committee on Armed Services • House Committee on Natural Resources
TOP ISSUES FOR 2021-2022 CYBERSECURITY BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS IMPACT
Economic security and national security go hand-in-hand. We must have one in order to protect the other. The Salt Lake Chamber business community sees cybersecurity as a shared responsibility and works to improve the ability of everyone to act securely and safely online and to promote the diversity of the security practitioner community. In doing so we call on Congress to establish a standard and framework consistent for all in the supply to follow and adhere to in order to protect our economic and national security.
CALL TO ACTION
• We call upon Congress to advance collaboration between U.S. national security agencies and critical infrastructure entities to defend against foreign cyberattacks. • We urge Congress to pass Internet of Things (IoT) legislation that protects device makers and buyers, reduces fragmentation globally, and bolsters collective defense. • We encourage the enactment of the Cyber SAFETY Act to clarify that the 2002 SAFETY Act’s liability protections apply to significant cyber incidents. • We advocate rapid advancement and secure deployment of domestic 5G technology while ensuring that national and international policy is aligned to promote open and interoperable radio networks that are risk-based and foster a vibrant technology market that rewards security and innovation.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS IMPACT
The Salt Lake Chamber supports diversity and inclusion throughout the business community and supports policies that ensure communication and administration of government, health, and education services reaches all communities.
CALL TO ACTION
• We call upon Congress to advocate for policy that advances diversity equity, and inclusion in business and lead efforts to remove barriers standing between people and opportunity. • We advocate convening diverse chambers and other minority business organizations to discuss policy issues and speak with a collective voice.
ECONOMY BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS IMPACT
Utah’s economy continues to be the most resilient in the nation and the increased administration of vaccines is improving consumer confidence and businesses are becoming more adapted to operating during COVID-19. Utah’s favorable economic outlook has attracted out-of-state businesses to move to the Beehive State which has contributed to the an unemployment rate of 2.7% which has created a battle for talent and challenges associated with growth.
CALL TO ACTION
• We call on Congress to support workforce development programs that prioritize efficient and flexible retraining or upskilling, empowering our state and nation’s workforce to adapt to new economic conditions. • We call upon Congress to advocate for responsible fiscal policy, including entitlement reform, deficit reduction, and debt management. • We call on Congress to prudently streamline business regulations to optimize growth and innovation.
HOUSING BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS IMPACT
• Utah is facing a housing shortage of approximately 53,000 units, which constrains our housing supply and makes homes less affordable for our rapidly growing workforce. • Affordable housing is necessary for Utah’s growing population and to retain and attract talent, as well as ensure safe and equitable living conditions for all Utahns, in proximity to employment opportunities. • Housing innovation to improve energy efficiency and environmental sustainability are hallmark traits of Utah’s housing industry, however, government regulations at all levels that mandate specific features or exclude any one production type drive up costs and ultimately make housing less affordable for residents.
CALL TO ACTION
• We call upon Congress to support initiatives and workforce development efforts that address the state’s ongoing construction and skilled-trade labor shortage. • We call upon Congress to defer to state and local governments when it comes to any regulation of housing types, zoning restrictions, or housing development related environmental regulations.
IMMIGRATION REFORM BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS IMPACT
• The State of Utah thrives because we welcome hard working and talented individuals. The current immigration system is cumbersome and falls short of meeting the needs of our economy. • Immigration is a key component to keeping our nation’s economy strong. • Careful reform of immigration policy will encourage economic growth and job creation. • Our current immigration system creates economic uncertainty for Utah employers in every sector of our economy. • Immigrants make up one in nine Utah workers, and limiting legal immigration would reduce Utah’s GDP growth by $686 million in 2028.
CALL TO ACTION
• We urge Utah’s federal delegation to advance comprehensive immigration reform consistent with the principles of the Utah Compact. • We urge our Congressional delegation to advance their co-sponsored H1-B reform legislation to support the needs of employers to access the most talented workforce possible. • We encourage Congress to protect TPS recipients and employment-authorized H-4 dependent spouses from losing their work authorization. • We advocate oversight of administrative actions that hinder the ability of employers to hire or continue employing legal immigrant workers.
TRADE BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS IMPACT
• With more than 3,500 Utah companies competing in the global market, trade is a vital piece of Utah’s economy and essential to the success of our state’s small businesses. • Recent pandemic related strains highlighted weaknesses in US supply chains. • Exports contributed 9.1% to Utah’s GDP in 2020. Global trade does more than just create and support jobs; it also helps retain a skilled workforce through competitively higher wages. • Utah businesses need reliable free markets and fair trading practices, as well as the stability and predictability that come with strong trade agreements.
CALL TO ACTION
• Utah businesses need free markets and fair trading practices built on balanced agreements that sustain economic growth through stable and predictable relationships, as well as support a successful manufacturing base that provides jobs, opportunities, and financial security to individuals and families. • We call upon Congress to support and ensure strong and reliable supply chains to promote the stability of Utah’s industries. • We call upon our federal delegation to work together with the Federal Maritime Commission and other regulators to: • address the current supply and demand challenges related to construction materials; • provide additional resources and applicable regulatory action to work through issues associated with port congestion • increase capacity and throughput of critical materials; and, • encourage enforcement of applicable antitrust laws and price gouging protections to specifically address the current conditions.
HEALTH CARE BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS IMPACT
• The current pandemic has highlighted the importance of access to affordable, high-quality health care, especially mental and behavioral health resources for Utah’s and the nation’s workforce. • Health care and entitlement reform are vital policy areas that contribute to our economic stability and workforce productivity. • Our health systems and entitlement programs neglect to provide simple, affordable, accessible and high-quality services to Americans. • High costs and low health market options undermine employers’ ability to strengthen their workforce; expand the economy; plan for the future, create and even further long-term fiscal stability.
CALL TO ACTION
• We call upon Congress to revise our entitlement and health care programs in order to provide equitable, effective services to those who need them most. • We call upon Congress to address our nation’s prevalent opioid epidemic, as it impacts the personal lives of Utah’s workforce and increases health care costs. • We call upon Congress to enable greater flexibility for businesses as they offer health care coverage to their employees. • We call upon Congress to support the expansion of Association Health Plans. • We call upon Congress to improve access to meaningful cost and quality information for consumers while protecting the ability of private companies to enter into negotiated contractual arrangements. • We call upon Congress to prioritize mental health resources as part of any healthcare initiatives, focusing on the mental health professional workforce shortage, suicide prevention, traumainformed care, and resilience in the state and national workforce. • We call upon Congress to support telehealth initiatives through expanded coverage and reducing or streamlining regulation.
INFRASTRUCTURE BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS IMPACT
• Infrastructure is the backbone of the American economy — we rely on our infrastructure to transport us to work and school, to power our homes and businesses and make transporting our goods and services possible. • Individual and business access to broadband is essential to support business continuity and workforce development. • Updating our infrastructure remains an issue with bipartisan support — but much of our nation’s infrastructure hasn’t been fully funded in decades. • Long-term transportation and infrastructure investment is required to sustain the United State’s economic growth and competitiveness.
CALL TO ACTION
• We urge Congress to enact and fund a bipartisan plan for infrastructure modernization. • Congress should provide a long-term, stable funding source for infrastructure that states can consistently rely upon to plan for the future. • We call upon Congress to prioritize and support the development of broadband infrastructure in all parts of the state. • We urge Congress to fund infrastructure related projects in a fiscally responsible way that does not burden taxpayers or the economic recovery with higher taxes or add materially to the federal deficit.
CHILDCARE BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS IMPACT
• The challenges of balancing work and family life have never been more apparent than during the coronavirus pandemic. Though a long-standing issue, child care and its attendant challenges, as well as the need to support family friendly policies, were exacerbated over the past year. • Working parents should have greater ability to balance child-rearing responsibilities with workforce participation according to their individual needs and preferences. • Businesses and working parents need a wide variety of options to choose solutions that work best for them; “one size fits all” is the wrong approach.
CALL TO ACTION
• We call upon Congress to reject a one-size-fits-all approach to child care issues, and instead advance policy options that empower businesses and working parents with a variety of tools to address workforce participation and caring for children in a way that meets the individual needs and preferences of our diverse businesses and families. • We call upon Congress to ensure that federal investment in child care is driven by business and maximizes options for different segments of the workforce, different family/work arrangements, and different regions of the country. • We call upon Congress to focus any child care investment or efforts in a targeted way toward specific sectors of our workforce that would most benefit.