The Salt Lake Chamber introduced its priorities for the 2020 Legislative Session at the Utah Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit, held in partnership with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek.
Chief among those priorities is sustaining the business and economic environment that places Utah among the top of America’s best performing states, strengthening education funding and outcomes, supporting our state’s workforce, closing the housing gap, building transportation infrastructure, and investing in diverse energy and environmental quality.
“The Chamber’s legislative priorities are all about enabling businesses to succeed and creating an environment where our workforce and their families want to live,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance. “We are committed to a bright future. Through partnerships and collaboration between our business community, government and community organizations we will continue to grow in a way that will preserve Utah as the best state in America to live and work for the next 20 years.”
Along with previewing the business community’s priorities for the coming legislative session, the Utah Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit — the state’s premier economic forecasting and public policy event — examined Utah’s economic future. Governor Mike Leavitt provided the keynote address, focusing on lessons from the last 20 years and what has been learned to guide policymaking in the future.
In releasing the Salt Lake Chamber’s 2020 Legislative Priorities, Jacey Skinner, general counsel and executive vice president of Public Policy, moderated a panel with House Speaker Brad Wilson, Senate President Stuart Adams, Executive Appropriations co-Chair Senator Jerry Stevenson, Majority Assistant Whip Representative Val Peterson and Managing Director of The Cynosure Group Spencer Eccles to discuss the Chamber’s priorities in relation to other major issues facing the Legislature this next session.
Skinner expressed appreciation for the policymakers and business leaders who have worked together to create one of America’s strongest economies. “We appreciate your leadership,” she told members of the panel. “During a period of unprecedented growth, legislative leaders, together with Governor Herbert, have maintained a focus on our economy and business community that has allowed us to sustain that growth in a positive way. We look forward to working with you during this year, and the next twenty years to plan for and sustain this focus and success.”
A complete copy of the Salt Lake Chamber’s 2020 Legislative Priorities guide can be found here.
