Government Affairs
Your Chamber at Work for You
Development Fee Opposition Statement PDF*
In June 2007, the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors sent to
the Flagstaff City Council its opposition letter to proposed Development
Fees, also known as "Impact Fees." Please click on the PDF link* to view the
entire letter.
Advocacy Agenda 2008 PDF*
The Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is proud to introduce its 2008 Business Advocacy Agenda. This policy document outlines the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce’s policy positions on a host of issues before government. The Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce is the leading advocate for business in northern Arizona.
Please visit our list of current legislative priorities and speak your voice for business through our special advocacy website www.actforflagstaff.com.
Current Legislative Priorities
The Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Division works closely with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other local chambers throughout Arizona to be a voice for business before our state and federal governments.
Below is a list of our legislative priorities and links to more information about each piece of legislation. To voice your position on behalf of business to our elected officials, please visit:
www.actforflagstaff.com
 Poll Shows Arizonans Do Not Want Property Tax Repeal to Expire
May 2, 2008
65 percent want property tax repeal to remain
PHOENIX - Nearly two-thirds of Arizonans believe the statewide property tax repeal should not expire in 2009, according to a poll commissioned by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The survey, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, surveyed 500 likely voters with a 4.38 percent margin of error.
Respondents were asked if it was a good idea or bad idea for the Governor to veto a legislative bill that would prevent a statewide property tax increase. They were also asked whether the property tax repeal should expire. 60 percent believed the veto was a bad idea and 65 percent believed the tax cuts should not expire in 2009.
In response to the poll results, Arizona Chamber President & CEO Glenn Hamer said, "This poll makes clear the will of the people is not to have a tax
increase during this tough economic time. The legislature must work to make this permanent tax repeal a part of the budget. If they don't, the people are likely to vote for it at the ballot."
40 chambers of commerce across Arizona sent a joint letter to the Governor calling on her to sign the permanent repeal. The chambers of commerce letter and the poll results are attached.
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is committed to advancing Arizona's competitive position in the global economy by advocating free-market policies that stimulate economic growth and prosperity for all Arizonans.
Supporting douments:
Letter from Governor Janet Napolitano to the Chamber of Commerce
Arizona Statewide Survey
Current Legislation - WE SUPPORT
SB 1002 and HB 2220 - State Equalization Rate Repeal
http://azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=2220
This bill would repeal the state equalization rate, a tax on businesses based
on assessed property value. A repeal of this legislation would provide a more
competitive business tax environment.
SB 1255 and HB 2235 - Administrative Rules Oversight Committee
http://azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=HB2235
The Administrative Rules Oversight Committee (AROC) was originally established
in 1995. AROC could conduct hearings and make comments to an agency, Attorney
General, or the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council on any proposed rule or
substantive policy statement that was considered unnecessarily burdensome for
businesses. Legislation establishing the committee was repealed on December
31, 1998. This bill re-establishes the Administrative Rules Oversight
Committee in Arizona.
SB 1434 and HB 2653 - Research & Development Tax Credit
http://azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=HB2653
The federal Research and Development (R&D) tax credit was first enacted as a
temporary provision in the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981. It was intended
to give U.S. based firms an incentive to increase their spending on R&D, a
critical element in long-term productivity growth. HB 2653 increases the
amount of the Research and Development (R&D) income tax credits over two
years.
HB 2828 - Workers' Compensation; Claims
http://azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=HB2828
In claims for workers’ compensation benefits, HB 2828 permits the employer,
insurance carrier, or ICA, through an authorized person, to directly
communicate (orally or in writing) with the appropriate physician or surgeon
regarding the treatment rendered to an injured person. Additionally, the bill
requires a claim for benefits to be filed within 2 years after the date of the
claim of entitled benefits.
HB 2829 - Workers' Compensation; Employee Misconduct
http://azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=HB2829
The Chamber is NEUTRAL on the following legislation, but supports several
provisions that align with our priorities.
When computing benefits in workers’ compensation cases, HB 2829 deems wages
that were not earned due to employee misconduct, to be considered as wages
actually earned. In calculating an employee’s earning capacity, it permits
the Industrial Commission of Arizona to consider all wages the employee could
have earned, but did not, due to misconduct in the employment setting.
HB 2745 - Immigration and Employer Sanctions
http://azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=HB2745
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