Via East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance
-
June 14, 2023
The Honorable Katie Hobbs
Governor
State of Arizona
Office of the Governor
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Dear Governor Hobbs:
The East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance (EVCCA) strongly encourages you to VETO SB 1246 election; transportation tax; Maricopa County. The EVCCA is the largest chamber of commerce organization in Arizona, with nearly 5,000 member businesses represented by seven chambers in the East Valley, including Apache Junction, Carefree/Cave Creek, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Tempe. The EVCCA believes the legislation falls far short of meeting the needs of the East Valley business community. A veto of SB 1246 would clearly communicate to the Legislature that their constituents expect a better plan.
This is the most important economic development issue facing Arizona this year. Proper investment in transportation has far greater economic development implications than just the basic purpose of moving goods and people from one place to another. An efficient and effective transportation system improves productivity, which is a central component of economic growth. Businesses considering Arizona as a future home take the Valley’s transportation system into account as they compare data and efficiencies between the state and other countries.
We encourage you to veto the plan and direct the Legislature to adopt a comprehensive multimodal plan that addresses each community’s own unique transportation priorities through a cooperative regional agreement. A plan should include the following:
- Multiple modes with proper investments in roads and transit;
- The fixed guideway transit systems our urban regions need;
- The roads that our growing communities need;
- The ability to adapt to future transportation needs; and
- Connectivity between population centers and job centers.
Time is of the essence. The legislative delay in forwarding an appropriate plan has already cost our taxpaying businesses through higher interest rates, increased project labor costs, and material inflation. Transportation projects in the East Valley, West Valley, and throughout Phoenix are not moving forward due to a lack of dedicated funding past December 31, 2025. Additionally, increased congestion will lead to decreased air quality which may jeopardize the return of federal highway dollars to Arizona.
We respectfully request that you veto SB 1246 and direct the Arizona Legislature to send you a plan that meets the region’s needs.
Sincerely,
- Jän Simon
2023 Chair, East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance - Mary Ann Przybylski, IOM
President and CEO, Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce - Steve Feld, MBA
President and CEO, Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce - Sarah Watts, IOM
President and CEO, Gilbert Chamber of Commerce - Sally Harrison, IOM
President and CEO, Mesa Chamber of Commerce - Chris Clark, IOM
President and CEO, Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce - Mark Stanton
President and CEO, Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce - Colin Diaz, ACE, IOM
President and CEO, Tempe Chamber of Commerce