Being a Champion and a Changemaker

Around here at the Chamber, we talk a lot about how we strive to be both a Champion and a Changemaker. We are some of the biggest cheerleaders of this place we call home while also advocating on behalf of our members for policies that will make Tucson even better for our businesses and the working families they employ.

The Champion side of what we do has been fun lately! Whether it’s the continued celebration of Tucson by publications like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, the addition of the World Baseball Classic to our sports scene, or the acknowledgement of our renowned food and culture by travel and cuisine magazines, there’s a lot to love about the Tucson region. Every ribbon cutting we get to do is another business success story that we get to highlight, and our monthly opportunities to connect always demonstrate the vibrant people and organizations shaping the community in positive ways.

But there’s also a lot of work still left to do, as noted by a recent report from the Common Sense Institute analyzing why, despite so many of these incredible assets, Tucson’s economy and opportunities continue to lag the rest of the state and much of our region.

It turns out, policy shapes the destiny and the vitality of our regional economic development efforts:

When regulatory processes are clear and consistent, it incentivizes smart growth.

When tax burdens are lower, it leaves more money in the pockets of working families to save and spend in the local economy.

When communities are safe, more families and young people move here and stay to raise their families and join the labor pool we so desperately need to expand.

When governments are focusing on the core functions of government, like infrastructure and addressing chronic unsheltered homelessness, it gives citizens and businesses alike the confidence that their community is well-managed and that the public sector is serious about creating the enabling conditions for growth and success. 

As the Common Sense Institute report points out, Tucson has some distinctive challenges that our Changemaker role here at the Chamber is built to work on.

Pima County has the highest combined primary and secondary property tax of any county in the state. Tucson is asking voters to pass Prop 414 and give Tucson the highest city sales tax burden of any major city in the state (the Tucson Metro Chamber Board of Directors has opposed this proposal). Regulatory processes for housing and development still take too long and impact regional competitiveness.

Despite Tucson’s spending over 4% more per resident than Phoenix, our much larger neighbor to the north, core services like public safety and infrastructure investment are still dramatically underfunded and uncertain. 

Chronic homelessness here is increasing at a higher rate than in other Arizona cities, while government policy is encouraging a more lenient approach that doesn't allow for comprehensive and pragmatic solutions. Violent crime is once again on the rise.

Your Tucson Metro Chamber team has been, and will continue to be, a constructive voice hard at work on these and other challenges with elected and community leaders. At every opportunity, we work with jurisdictions across the region to advocate for policies that provide for affordability, opportunity, and quality of life. We need all our members to join the effort! Take a look at our Public Policy Guide, and review our website for opportunities to join councils and committees working on these very issues. 

Soon, our merger with Sun Corridor will be complete, shaping an even larger regional Chamber that will bring together economic and business development efforts, with the policy and advocacy work that creates the right conditions for it. We believe this will more cohesively and effectively create an environment where Tucson can finally achieve its highest hopes and potential. 

Get involved in local advocacy

You can help us advocate for a better Tucson by donating to our political action committee, the Tucson Metro Chamber PAC. Every donation advances our mission: Championing an environment where your business thrives and our community prospers.

If your business is a Chamber member, you can join the ranks of our Chamber Advocates, who get sweet perks and help us get the word out about our issues.

Questions? Contact Magen Howard or Zach Yentzer.

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