Public Policy Issues Important to Business
I had the privilege this week of a front row seat as prominent business leaders left their day jobs and attended a half-day retreat to set the priorities for Utah’s largest association the Salt Lake Chamber. The issues were flying fast and furious – energy, health reform, immigration, globalization, workforce development, environmental sustainability, to name just a handful of the topics discussed. The discussion left me reflecting upon how fortunate we are to have passionate, engaged and generous business leaders. It also left me optimistic about the long-term prospects for Utah’s growing economy.
My optimism is three fold: Business leaders recognize the value of civic engagement, they are strong in numbers and diversity, and they are engaged and united in their commitment to a vibrant economy. Taken together, we can expect great things to come. Let me elaborate.
Civic engagement. Prominent Utah economist R. Thayne Robson taught me the vital connection between the public and private sector. He taught that one sector couldn’t function properly without the other. Rather, both sectors perform best when they work collaboratively to serve the welfare of the citizenry. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not, nor was Thayne, advocating for more government involvement in the marketplace. It’s just the opposite. I’m arguing for more civic engagement so that government becomes more responsive to the masterful work of the free enterprise system. Utah business leaders see this vital connection and are acting to improve it.
When asked at the Chamber retreat, 92% of the business leaders favored a policy-rich Chamber that takes an active role in shaping the issues and solving the problems of our day. Mark Bouchard, the senior managing director of CB Richard Ellis, echoed this when he opined that one of the most important business issues in our state was the continued cooperation between the public and private sectors. I strongly agree and sense that others in the business community feel the same way. We need to be civically engaged.
Strength in diversity and numbers. The Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors is the governing board for Utah’s largest business association. The Chamber currently represents 4,200 businesses statewide and we added 295 new members this past year, making us by far the largest business association in Utah. Our history stretches back over 100 years and our membership has never been larger or more diverse. Our geographic diversity includes a statewide reach with members in all 29 counties. We have members in 14 states and one in Canada. Our member composition includes every major industry sector and three out of every four members employ 50 or fewer employees. Small business is alive and well at the Salt Lake Chamber. The good that can come from such a large and diverse membership base is something I am only beginning to fully understand. What I do understand is the strength of this diverse and large membership.
Engaged and united business leaders. I was delighted and encouraged that 65 of Utah’s most influential business leaders would gather for a five-hour discussion about the work plan for the Salt Lake Chamber. It showed their commitment and their passion. It showed a willingness to leave their proprietary interests for a day and come together for the common good of business in our state.
During the retreat, Scott Parson, President and CEO of Staker and Parson Companies, led us through an interactive policy discussion. Each Board member had a ten-key pad and was asked questions about critical public issues facing Utah. Every response was anonymous and participants received instant results thanks to the services of Pulse Interactive Media, a great local polling company. The results showed quantitatively the level of engagement and solidarity among business leaders about the most important business issues. It also provided insight on how to approach and solve tough issues. Let me share a sampling of what we learned.
- Top public policy priorities
By a 98% majority, business leaders agreed that health reform, transportation, energy, education, Downtown Rising, and immigration where the top public policy priorities for the business community. From this finding alone, the public policy work plan for the Salt Lake Chamber is clear. - Health Reform
A whopping 94% felt that Utah would be advantaged if we preempted federal reform efforts to enact state-based health system reform. In a related fashion, 64% did not think that the federal government would enact meaningful reform in the next four years – a sad commentary on our confidence in the federal government. Business leaders understand that our health system is in desparate need of repair and our best chance for solving it is a federalist approach. - Transportation
Ninety-four percent agreed that the Chamber should champion a more vibrant economy by leading efforts to increase transportation funding in our state. In his presentation, Chamber CEO Lane Beattie reminded attendees that the Chamber led efforts to reduce traffic congestion by advocating for $100 million in additional ongoing funds for transportation and an increase in the bonding capacity for highways of $200 million. We need to continue this charge. - Education
Through the dedicated work of American Express VP of Operations Lisa Vehrenkamp the Chamber has forged renewed partnerships with Junior Achievement and the Utah Scholars program. After presenting a $10,000 check to a scholarship account, Lisa challenged the rest of the Board to help raise $100,000 for scholarships and to provide 100,000 hours of service to local schools. Charlie Lansche, Regional General Manager with Fidelity Investments, reminded everyone that a well-trained workforce is the primary ingredient of a strong economy and fundamental to Fidelity’s success in Utah. Other business leaders reaffirmed their desire to do their part to nurture a productive workforce. - Immigration
Ninety-one percent of the Chamber Board agreed that current worker visa caps are too low and nearly 70% were open to a state guest worker program. These are complicated issues and deserving of much more discussion than an anonymous vote at a Board retreat. What it does tell you, however, is that immigration is a serious economic issue for our state and one that deserves serious attention. The Chamber has partnered with other like-minded entities to support an Immigration Policy Coalition, which will advocate appropriate immigration reform. - VP Picks
Just for fun, we asked whom business leaders favored the VP picks. No surprises on the Republican ticket – Mitt Romney received the vote of 54% of those listed. The rest of the votes were distributed almost evenly among Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Mn), Carly Fiorina, Gov. Charlie Crist (Fl), and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (Tx).On the Democratic side of the aisle, the picks were much closer. Gov. Bill Richardson (NM) led out with 35% of the vote and Sen. Joe Biden (De) came in second with 16% of the vote. Sen. Hillary Clinton tallied 13%, with Wesley Clark and Sam Nunn trailing far behind.
After five hours of deliberation, Chamber staff left with a sizable list of policy priorities, along with input on our other services to the community (networking, recognition events, employee development, and exposure for our members). We are all excited – staff and Board members alike – to have Chris Redgrave, the General Manager of Bonneville Radio Group, serve as the Chairperson of our Board of Governors. She is a woman of immense talent and extraordinary enthusiasm. I know we can accomplish great things in the coming year under her leadership.
Lane Beattie closed by thanking Utah’s business leaders and encouraging them to keep making a meaningful difference in the community – the real value of the Salt Lake Chamber to its members. I found myself driving home feeling energized that Salt Lake City and Utah will be better because of the talent, generosity, passion and strength of Utah’s phenomenal business leaders.