The U.S. 番茄社区 of Commerce and the Arizona 番茄社区 of Commerce & Industry on Tuesday night convened a statewide tele-townhall about why the groups are urging Sen. Kyrsten Sinema , D-Ariz., to oppose the massive social spending bill known as Build Back Better.

Arizona 番茄社区 President and CEO Danny Seiden and U.S. 番茄社区 of Commerce Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley discussed the bill鈥檚 negative effects on inflation, the tax environment and federal budget deficits. 

Seiden said Arizona鈥檚 economy was one of the fastest states in the country to recover the jobs it lost during the pandemic-induced downturn and he noted the consistent rate at which the state is attracting new jobs. 

The reconciliation bill, warned Seiden, could hurt the state鈥檚 positive growth trajectory, and his chamber is urging Sen. Sinema and her colleague Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., to reject the legislation. 

Seiden said the bill is too expensive and that it will make the 鈥渁lready Jimmy-Carter-level inflation rates even worse.鈥� 

Bradley, a public policy veteran, said that the bill was one of the worst pieces of legislation he has seen in some 25 years of tracking Congress鈥� work. 

Bradley also noted that Arizona鈥檚 economic growth can be hindered by policy crafted in Washington, D.C.

鈥淎rizona is what we want the nation鈥檚 economy to be: dynamic, vibrant, growing 鈥�  that’s the definition of what we want to emulate,鈥� Bradley said. 鈥淭he problem is that sometimes Washington can throw a wet blanket on all that growth and at the same time raise prices for everyday families and businesses.鈥�

Bradley said that last weekend around 1,880 pages of the bill were received by lawmakers on Capitol Hill containing 鈥渢axes, new powers for the Internal Revenue Service, and [new] ways of regulating businesses.鈥� 

Sixty-three percent of small businesses across the U.S. have had to raise their prices due to inflationary pressures, and Bradley said he鈥檚 certain that the bill will add to these pressures partly because of the amount of money that it requires, which will 鈥渉ave to be borrowed, in this case from mainly overseas creditors, and paid back by higher taxes later.鈥�

Seiden said he鈥檚 concerned with the penalties that the bill would enforce on Arizona鈥檚 economy, pointing to a portion of the legislation that offers a more generous tax credit for electric vehicle purchases if the car was assembled in a unionized factory.

Seiden said the provision conflicts with , which enshrines the state鈥檚 鈥渞ight to work” (RTW) status and makes labor union membership voluntary. He argued that Arizona鈥檚 growing electric vehicle manufacturing sector is thanks in part to Arizona鈥檚 status as an RTW state, which the bill would undermine.

鈥淭his provision would punish non-union companies to choose between operating at either a competitive disadvantage or protecting their employees,鈥� Seiden said. 

Both Bradley and Seiden called for the bill to be scrapped and that Congress should start over. They both expressed appreciation for Sinema’s work to improve the bill, but that their chambers are urging her not to support it and instead back pro-economic-growth policies. 

鈥淎rizona鈥檚 番茄社区 and the U.S. 番茄社区 are working together on an advocacy campaign here in the state thanking Sen. Sinema for so far standing up to the big tax and spend agenda in Washington and urging her to not let up, to keep fighting back against policies that will drive up costs more than they already are,鈥� Seiden said.

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34 percent of parents reported childcare issues significantly impacted job changes in their household

The U.S. 番茄社区 of Commerce Foundation this week released a new report examining the impact of childcare challenges on Arizona’s state economy. The report is part of a broader “Untapped Potential” study of five U.S. states that reveals the cost of childcare challenges and opportunities to unlock economic potential for states, employers, and working parents.

The study found that Arizona misses an estimated $1.77 billion annually for the state’s economy, including a $348 million annual loss in tax revenue, due to childcare issues. Additionally, 34% of respondents reported that they or someone in their household has left a job, not taken a job, or greatly changed jobs because of problems with childcare in the last 12 months.

The limited supply of childcare currently does not match high demand, an existing problem made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, working parents have work with childcare needs, faced with childcare options that are too far, too expensive, or that do not fit their needs. Meanwhile, childcare providers have fought to stay operational, and employers have dealt with uncertainty about how and when employees could return to work. All of these contributed to the $1.77 billion in lost revenue for Arizona’s economy and an increasing number of employees being forced to leave the workforce.

鈥淚n the midst of an increasingly tight labor market, the U.S. 番茄社区 Foundation鈥檚 important research shines a light on another complicating factor for employers looking to recruit and retain talent,鈥� Arizona 番茄社区 of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden said. 鈥淭he pandemic has exacerbated childcare challenges that make it harder for parents to participate fully in the economy.鈥� 

Key findings from the 2021 report include:

路         Childcare gaps result in massive economic losses for Arizona. Childcare issues result in a total estimated loss of $1.77 billion in Arizona, including an estimated $348 million lost annually in tax revenue.

路         Some Arizona parents are leaving their jobs due to childcare issues. Approximately 6 percent of parents surveyed voluntarily left a job due to childcare issues.

路         Childcare issues are significantly affecting parents’ job decisions. Of respondents surveyed, 34 percent reported that they or someone in their household has left a job, not taken a job, or greatly changed jobs because of problems with childcare in the last 12 months.

路         The greatest need is for infant and toddler care. Of parents who voluntarily leave their jobs, 55 percent do so when their child(ren) is two years old or younger. 

“While the impact is different in each of these states, these studies show the urgency needed in addressing childcare issues across the country,” said Cheryl Oldham, senior vice president of the U.S. 番茄社区 of Commerce Foundation Center for Education and Workforce. “The challenges in the childcare system are complex, but solvable 鈥� and addressing them comprehensively, in ways that consider the needs of parents, businesses, and providers, will be central for the nation’s long-term economic success.”

In 2021, the “Untapped Potential” series is examining these childcare challenges and issues in five U.S. states鈥擜laska, Arkansas, Arizona, Missouri, and Texas鈥攂uilding on reports released in 2020 on Iowa, Idaho, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania. To access the full reports and other resources, visit:

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The nation鈥檚 largest business advocacy group, the U.S. 番茄社区 of Commerce, launched a new virtual dialogue series this week designed to bring national lawmakers from both sides of the aisle together on issues of importance to the business community and economic recovery. 

The goal is not only to discuss topics but to identify opportunities for consensus, examine and explain legitimate policy differences, and pursue pathways to compromise and meaningful solutions, said Neil Bradley, the chamber鈥檚 executive vice president and chief policy officer, who moderated the first event Tuesday. 

鈥淲e will spotlight elected officials who demonstrate the courage to work across the aisle to get things done and, in doing so, show that civility, consensus, and bipartisan cooperation still exist in Washington,鈥� Bradley said.

Leading Democrat and Republican talk infrastructure 

The 番茄社区 kicked off the new series, , with a visit from a leading Democrat and a leading Republican on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. They talked about what鈥檚 ahead for infrastructure, a top priority for the business community.

Featured speakers, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL), spoke about their commitment as colleagues and friends who are working together to push forward a bipartisan package to update the nation鈥檚 highways, bridges, water facilities, transportation systems, and other infrastructure. 

Gas tax outdated 

Efforts to pass a comprehensive infrastructure package have consistently failed over the past few years due to partisan gridlock. Attempts to raise the gas tax to fund projects through the Highway Trust Fund also fail year after year. Meanwhile, the tax is becoming insufficient as a funding source for highways as electric vehicles are moving to the forefront of society, they said.

Davis said other means for funding could include public-private partnerships. Moulton said that age-old subsidy programs could be revamped to find more efficient uses.

Extreme partisanship biggest threat to progress 

Both voiced optimism about moving forward meaningful legislation.

Rep. Davis, who has served in Congress since 2013, said it will require building consensus with members who aren鈥檛 focused on division. In recent years, infrastructure bills with large bipartisan support have failed because of a growing contingent of extremists in political office, he said.   

鈥淵ou have to have a willingness to get to know your colleagues on the other side of the aisle. It鈥檚 a lot more difficult when many members are elected just from the far right and the far left,鈥� said Davis, who ran on a platform of bipartisanship. 

鈥淲e all have to represent our different districts. But good policy looks for a win for everyone,鈥� he said.

Davis said he focuses on finding lawmakers like Moulton he can work with, not against. 

鈥淯ltimately that鈥檚 better for the American people. I think people have had enough of Congress just convening to bicker. They actually want Congress to get things done,鈥� Davis said.  

Davis and Mouton both are pushing forward measures to do just that, they said.

Upgrade infrastructure via public-private partnerships 

Davis recently introduced a bipartisan bill with Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) to help pay for a modernization of the nation鈥檚 transportation infrastructure, which faces a funding gap of more than $1.1 trillion by 2025, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The bill, the Building United States Infrastructure and Leveraging Development Act (BUILD Act), would double the national limitation amount for qualified highway or surface freight transfer facility bonds from $15 billion to $30 billion for road, rail, bridge, and freight improvements through  public-private investment partnerships.

High speed rail plan for global competitiveness 

Rep. Moulton has introduced a package that would emphasize high speed rail to improve America鈥檚 global competitiveness. 

鈥淲e鈥檝e got to make sure we have a forward thinking infrastructure that will build for the next century,鈥� said Moulton, who has served in Congress since 2014. 鈥淲hen we鈥檝e done that in the past, it鈥檚 benefited everyone in America.鈥�

Moulton introduced legislation that calls for investing $205 billion over five years for high speed rail. The American High-Speed Rail Act would create at least 2.6 million direct American jobs, increase connectivity and inclusivity in communities, and modernize the transportation system, which lags behind many other developed nations, he said

Modern infrastructure creates equity 

Both representatives said modern infrastructure brings more than new roads and bridges. Davis said it can improve communities that have 鈥減roblems with equity.鈥� Moulton said high speed rail can increase connectivity and inclusivity.

鈥淲hen you have high speed rail it connects communities that are kind of left out right now,鈥� Moulton said. 鈥淣ew transportation technologies bring out communities together and make us more inclusive.鈥�

U.S. 番茄社区 push for bipartisanship The Common Grounds series builds on the , which recognizes members of Congress who demonstrate bipartisan leadership and constructive governing. In many cases, Common Grounds events will be hosted in partnership with local and state chambers of commerce across the country. The event series was first announced during the U.S. 番茄社区’s signature annual event, .

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