The Chamber’s Zach Yentzer and CEO Michael Guymon (at left), along with David Godlewski, CEO of the Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association and immediate past co-chair of the Tucson Regional Water Coalition, and Chamber Business Advocacy Manager Magen Howard met with state Sen. Priya Sundareshan at the Chamber office in December. 

We also met with Tucson-area state Sen. Priya Sundareshan, the new Democratic caucus leader in the senate, in December to discuss how we can stay informed and help shape conversations about water in 2025. We appreciate Sen. Sundareshan’s time and engagement with us, and we look forward to continuing these discussions throughout the year. 

2025 issues to watch 

Other major issues on our radar are: 

• Community Corridors Tool — A citywide optional zoning code amendment that would reduce barriers to adding affordable and attainable housing and focus development on walkable, shaded, environmentally resilient corridors. The Chamber strongly supports the city’s efforts to address the housing crisis. The Planning Commission held a study session on Dec. 18 and voted to continue the study session in January. View the recording of the meeting on YouTube and see the study session materials on PDSD’s website. 

• Proposition 414: Safe & Vibrant City — A half-cent sales tax in Tucson over 10 years to support city services in five main areas: affordable housing and shelter, neighborhood and community resilience, enhanced emergency response, technology investments, and capital investments for first responders. The measure is slated to be on the ballot for city voters in the March 11, 2025, special election. The Chamber is evaluating the proposal. 

• RTA Next — The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is preparing for voter consideration of RTA Next, a 20-year continuation of the current RTA transportation plan funded by a half-cent sales tax. With the current plan and tax expiring in 2026, the next election is tentatively planned for November 2025. The Chamber strongly supports this measure, which will provide two-thirds of the county’s transportation funding — a necessity for economic competitiveness and quality of life here. We encourage you to share your feedback on the plan before it enters the final amendment phase. Attend an upcoming open house or take the survey to ensure the voice of the business community is heard!  

• City and county roadway development impact fee increases — Both Pima County and Tucson have plans to revise the one-time fees for new development that help fund a proportionate share of the cost of infrastructure. The increases are based on land-use assumptions (LUAs) and infrastructure improvement plans (IIPs) for the next 10 years.  

• The city’s LUA and IIP have been posted online and are slated for public hearing at the Feb. 4 Planning Commission meeting and then consideration for adoption by the Mayor & Council at their March 18 meeting. The city anticipates posting the proposed fees on March 21, which would then follow the same public hearing process. If you wish to comment at the public hearing, check the Planning Commission’s website for details closer to the date. 

• The county’s LUA and IIP have been posted online and are slated for a public hearing before the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 7. The Supervisors are anticipated to consider the LUA and IIP for adoption at their Feb. 18 meeting, and then a draft of revised fee schedules would be posted in the spring, following the same public hearing process. If you wish to comment at the public hearing, check the Board of Supervisors’ website for details closer to the date. 

• Plan Tucson — The city’s 10-year general plan draft has been released, and the city is seeking public comment through Jan. 20. The Plan Tucson team has scheduled numerous in-person and virtual meetings in January, and surveys are open online now. They’ve even created a “meeting in a box” so that groups can host their own meetings. City staff will use comments to revise the draft before presenting it to Mayor & Council for approval to send to the November 2025 ballot. The Chamber will advocate for policies that improve quality of life in Tucson, attract and retain workforce talent, and generally foster economic competitiveness. 

• Building code and outdoor lighting code updates — Tucson and Pima County formed the Joint Consolidated Code Committee to evaluate and draft uniform building codes. The committee is evaluating and amending the 2024 international codes, with the intent to present all updated code amendments to Tucson Mayor & Council and the county Board of Supervisors in the spring for adoption and implementation in the summer. The Chamber advocates for codes that improve safety and efficiency without overly burdening builders and unintentionally decreasing investment in our area. View the proposed amendments on the Joint Code Committee’s webpage. The next meeting is Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. and is open to the public, with an opportunity for public comment. Check the webpage for an agenda and documents closer to the date. 

• Metal theft — In cooperation with the Metropolitan Pima Alliance, the Chamber has convened a coalition of stakeholders to discuss potential solutions for the surge in metal theft. Composed of local law enforcement, property managers, retailers, and developers, the group has directed the Chamber to study the issue further with law enforcement. The Chamber is grateful for its partnership with the Tucson Police Department, and we hope to have a report and initiative formed in the first half of the year.  

If your business has experienced metal theft or property damage, we want to hear from you! Join our coalition efforts by contacting Magen Howard or Zach Yentzer. 

Coming Soon: 2025 Public Policy Guide 

Our 2025 Public Policy Guide is designed as an action plan to promote economic vitality within the region. Informed by our Public Policy Council and approved by our full board of directors, the 2025 guide introduces overarching guiding principles that empower the Chamber and Public Policy Council to respond effectively to challenges in areas like homelessness, housing, transportation and infrastructure, workforce development, crime and public safety, and more.  

The updated guide will be available shortly. In the meantime, please contact us if you have any questions or comments about our public policy agenda or advocacy. 

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