PublicPOLICY 2009Guide As Utah’s business leader, we stand as the voice of business, we support our members’ success and we champion community prosperity Dear Fellow Utahns, As utah’s business leader, the Salt lake chamber speaks out on public policy issues important to business and champions community prosperity. The chamber board of Governors understands the business importance of the public sector in educating the workforce, creating a level playing field, achieving a sensible regulatory environment and investing in infrastructure. in a very real way, sound public policy creates an environment for business success. business struggles in the absence of good government. influencing sound public policy entails more than a 45-day commitment during utah’s legislative session—much more. our eight policy task forces are engaged year-round in reviewing, developing, promoting and improving public policy at all levels of government—federal, state and local. The challenges of the past year reinforce the need for sound public policy in facilitating economic growth and opportunity. The enduring lesson gleaned from the Salt lake chamber’s century of business leadership is that our economy will continue to grow and will always recover from challenging times. utahns have reason to be optimistic. We have a well-trained workforce, superb transportation infrastructure, a reasonable regulatory environment, relatively low business costs and a diversified employment mix. These are the right ingredients for long-term success. our unemployment rate is about half of the national average, our state government is well managed, fuel prices have returned to reasonable levels and our recession is much milder than in other states. From a chamber perspective, we have never been more relevant and successful in representing the interests of business, facilitating our members’ success and championing community prosperity. The Public Policy Guide details the chamber’s commitment to public policy and outlines our guiding principles and priorities for 2009. We look forward to a very productive year and invite you to join us. Sincerely, Lane Beattie Chris Redgrave President and CEO Chair 2009 Public Policy Guide 1 ECONOMIC Stimulus “Through all of the Leaders: Chris Redgrave, chair, Salt lake chamber board of Governors, Vice President, General Manager, bonneville Salt lake Radio Group economic turmoil, let’s Lane Beattie, President and ceo, Salt lake chamber not lose sight of the many statement of PrinciPLes: great things happening n Timely: We seek urgent action to infuse dollars into the utah economy to create in the Utah economy. jobs and increase income for utah families. n Targeted: We believe state stimulus efforts should be focused in the areas that During the past year, provide the greatest return on investment, through job creation and economic prosperity, and targeted toward the industries and workers most severely impacted Sephora, Duncan by the current recession. Aviation, Proctor and n Leveraged: We support investment in the utah economy that can be leveraged. Stimulus efforts should aggressively mine opportunities to multiply our invest- Gamble, ATK and ment through matching funds. Oracle have all expanded 2009 PubLic PoLicy Priorities or announced plans to n Construction and Housing: Accelerate and garner increased investment in housing expand in Utah. Time and construction through prudent bonding and advocacy for federal funds. investments in these industries realize large multiplier effects, thereby benefiting and again, Utah receives other industries. construction and housing can lead an economy into a recession and out of a recession. accolades as the best n Transportation: invest in vital transportation infrastructure. utah benefits from managed state. Indeed, we one of the most aggressive transportation investment programs in the country. during times of economic need, this investment has the dual advantage of have much to be proud of stimulating near term growth, while also ensuring long-term economic prosperity. economists estimate that every $1 billion invested in our federal highway even in tough times.” system creates 34,779 new jobs. Additionally, it is estimated that every $1 billion investment in nonresidential construction adds $2.4 billion to the state’s gross domestic product. during times of economic contraction, utah should accelerate, Jeff Edwards, Economic not reduce, investment in transportation infrastructure. Development Corporation of Utah 2 SAlT Lake chambeR n State Buildings: Fund high-priority state facilities that have recent accomPLishments: a significant private sector match. it is estimated that the n Influenced Governor’s Budget Recommendations: The Salt construction of $200 million in capital facilities would have a lake chamber worked closely with Governor huntsman’s total employment impact of 3,205 jobs and earnings impact of office to encourage a timely, targeted and leveraged stimulus $161.2 million. The university of utah, utah State university, plan. Governor huntsman delivered with his economic kick- Salt lake community college and Weber State university each Start Plan, which the Salt lake chamber supports as a good have buildings at the top of the prioritized State building board starting point to stimulate utah’s economy. list. investment in these buildings is doubled by a private sector match. n Convey a Spirit of optimism: The Salt lake chamber partnered with key media players to share positive PRoject ToTaL Cost PRivate (%) economic news during a period of devastating national uu - david eccles $99,600,000 $71,100,000 (71%) economic performance. We’ve used downtown Rising, the School of business Metro business Report, What’s Right with utah, utah Pulse uu - Skaggs $71,600,000 $41,600,000 (58%) and the utah business Minute to convey the significant Pharmacy building highlights in utah’s economy, even in these challenging WSu - Professional Programs $53,544,795 $9,500,000 (18%) times. The Salt lake chamber thanks our generous media classroom building partners bonneville Radio Group, Mediaone, utah Pulse SLCC - digital $25,305,000 $3,600,000 (14%) and citadel broadcasting for their support. Arts and design n Advertised Housing affordability: The Salt lake chamber ToTaL $250,049,795 $125,800,000 (50%) raised $185,000 to advertise the affordability of housing and SLCC - excludes student fees in donation and in part of total cost availability of a $7,500 federal tax credit for qualifying first- (3.6m Schools, 5.3m Student Fees) time homebuyers. by stimulating housing transactions for qualified purchasers, we can improve the utah economy. n Advanced Transportation Construction: The Salt lake “I can think of no issue more chamber worked closely with the utah department of important to Utah workers and Transportation, the Governor’s office and utah legislators to restore a plan to fund planned highway projects even families than getting the Utah economy in the face of declining sales tax revenues. The governor recommended, and the chamber supports, an increase in the back on track. I commend the Salt Lake motor vehicle registration fee to help pay for these projects. Chamber for taking the lead.” The chamber also supports additional user fees to keep utah’s transportation investment on track. Dave Golden, Wells Fargo Bank 2009 Public Policy Guide 3 HEALTHSystem REFORM “At my business, CHaiR: Scott Hymas, ceo, Rc Willey health insurance statement of PrinciPLes: premiums exceed all n Fix a Broken System: Although utah’s health care system is among the most of our other operating efficient in the nation, we can improve. We applaud the utah legislature and the Governor for making health system reform a top state priority and pledge our full expenses. Providing support for the process. health insurance may n Contain Costs: We view ever-escalating costs as the reason that there are so many become impossible uninsured. We must focus reforms on long-term cost containment. n Reform Based on Market Principles: We support the creation of a health system if this unsustainable reform strategic plan for the state of utah that will apply the principles of the private system isn’t changed. market to contain costs, strengthen the utah economy and improve lives. n Accountability: We believe that utah’s strategic plan must expand accountability The Salt Lake at all levels of the health system—patients, providers, purchasers, payers and Chamber recognizes political leaders. by so doing, every utahn will take more personal responsibility for their health and we can realign the system to be more consumer-driven. that many businesses are in a similar PubLic PoLicy Priorities: situation and is n Internet Portal: create an internet portal that allows contributions from multiple sources to be utilized for the purchase of insurance. This is the first step in working for change.” transitioning from an employer-sponsored defined benefit plan to an individual- centered, defined contribution system, which will incentivize prudent utilization and reward people who make healthy lifestyle choices. Peggy Lander Partner, Richter 7 n Eliminate Waste: We advocate immediate and bold legislative action to create insurance products that are portable from job to job while exposing the shifting of costs that takes place in the current health system. This will create efficiency and eliminate waste. We also endorse public policies that protect medical providers who use best practices from unreasonable jury awards and that require all insurance policies to be purchased with pre-tax dollars. 4 SAlT Lake chambeR We envision a health care system that will sustain a vibrant economy and enable people to live healthier, more productive lives. In such a system, every Utahn will have access to affordable, basic health insurance and care that is paid for with pre-tax dollars, self-selected, portable from job to job, guaranteed issue, rated based on a broad-based risk pool and structured to incorporate cost controlling features. Health care consumers will have access to complete information that will allow them to make prudent decisions about their care and employers can make defined contributions to the health care of their employees.