2017 Federal Priorities

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Utah’s Voice of Business in Washington, D.C. The Salt Lake Chamber is capital city by name, and statewide by mission. We are Utah’s largest and longest-standing business association. A statewide chamber of commerce with members in all 29 Utah counties, the Chamber represents the broad interests of the state’s 63,000-plus employers, which employ more than 1.4 million Utahns. This includes thousands of members and their employees. We stand as the voice of business, support our members’ success and champion community prosperity.

Annually, the Salt Lake Chamber brings senior representatives from Utah’s business and civic community to Washington, D.C. to meet with key members of Congress, White House officials, cabinet members, military leaders, business executives and thought leaders. This trip is recognized as one of Utah’s leading legislative trips to the nation’s capital, featuring small group advocacy meetings, senior level briefings and exclusive special events.

The trip also serves an important role in the Salt Lake Chamber’s public policy efforts. The trip builds on the Chamber’s year-round legislative advocacy efforts on the federal level. This document is a consolidation of key federal priorities included in the Salt Lake Chamber’s Public Policy Guide, priorities expressed by the Board of Governors and key legislation being advanced by our federal delegation. It is updated before every Washington, D.C. trip.

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2017 FEDERAL PRIORITIES

Utah Punches Above our Weight In Washington, influence matters. Utah is fortunate to have some of the most influential leadership in the country. While our economy continues to garner national praise, often unnoticed is the impact and influence of Utah’s federal delegation, our governor, the many business leaders serving on national boards and the Salt Lake Chamber’s leadership team. Here are some highlights of the key positions our state holds in Washington, D.C.: Utah Governor

Utah’s Senior Senator

Utah’s Junior Senator

Utah’s 1st Congressional District

Governor Gary R. Herbert,

Senator Orrin G. Hatch,

Senator Mike Lee,

Congressman Rob Bishop,

Past Chair, National Governors Association

President Pro Tem, Chairman, Senate Finance Committee

Vice Chairman, Joint Economic Committee, Chairman, Senate Steering Committee

Chair, House Natural Resources Committee, Member House Committee on Armed Services

Utah’s 2nd Congressional District

Utah’s 3rd Congressional District

Utah’s 4th Congressional District

Congressman Chris Stewart,

John Curtis

Dr. Kathryn Allen

Congresswoman Mia Love,

Member, House Appropriations Committee, Member, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

(Republican-Candidate)

(Democratic Party-Candidate)

Member, House Committee on Financial Services

Utah Legislature

Other Candidates

Salt Lake Chamber

President Wayne Niederhauser,

Brendan Phillips (Write-In)

Lane Beattie,

First Vice Chair, American Legislative Exchange Council

Jim Bennett (United Party)

Member, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, U.S. Chamber Board of Directors

Senator Ralph Okerlund,

Joe Buchman (Libertarian)

Heidi Walker,

Chair-Elect, Council of State Governments West

Russell Paul Roesler (Write-In)

Board of Directors, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives

Jason Christensen (Independent American) Sean Whalen (Unaffiliated)

Maxine Turner, President, Cuisine Unlimited, Chair, U.S. Chamber Council on Small Business W W W. S LC H A M B E R . C O M

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Partnership with the U.S. Chamber We actively work with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organization, to advance shared priorities important to Utah businesses and galvanize our voice in Washington, D.C. At its board meeting on June 8, 2016, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded a five-star accreditation to the Salt Lake Chamber for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact within in the state of Utah.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released its How They Voted scorecard honoring all six members of Utah’s congressional delegation for their support of pro-growth, pro-jobs policies during the second session of the 114th Congress.

“Once again, Utah’s federal delegation have been true ambassadors of the best state for business,” said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “We look forward to working with our delegation in the year ahead to advance key priorities including regulation, immigration, health care and tax reform, investing in our infrastructure and ensuring Utah remains globally competitive.

On behalf of Utah’s business leaders, I express my gratitude for their leadership and support.”

The U.S. Chamber’s prestigious award is given annually to members of Congress based on their votes on critical business legislation.

Members who supported the Chamber’s position on at least 70% of those votes qualify to receive the award.

During the second session of the 114th Congress, the Chamber scored members on 8 Senate votes and 14 House votes related to improve access to capital for small businesses, ensuring our workforce has the skills necessary for the jobs of tomorrow, and helping American manufacturers compete in a global economy. In addition, votes in support of building the U.S. water infrastructure system, protecting intellectual property, and updating energy policy also factored into scoring.

All of Utah’s members of the House of Representatives had a 100% voting record on these key votes. Sen. Hatch also had a 100% voting record, and Sen. Lee had 71%.

Spirit of Enterprise Award Presentation with U.S. Chamber, Salt Lake Chamber and World Trade Center Utah

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2017 FEDERAL PRIORITIES

Top Issues for Utah’s Business Community In August 2017, the Salt Lake Chamber’s Board of Governors ranked various federal issues to help guide the Chamber’s advocacy efforts. Below is a summary of their top issues.

COMPREHENSIVE TAX REFORM Utah businesses need national tax reform. Among all industrialized countries, the U.S. corporate tax rate now is the highest, meaning Utah companies are losing their comparative and competitive advantages, and that’s before accounting for antiquated international tax rules. Utah’s business environment and tax code are among the most competitive in the nation. But globally it’s really the law of averages. Our nation’s tax code is a drag on growth, wages, and global competitiveness. At this point Congress must more fully turn its attention to and accelerate its effort to enact tax reform, which will grow the economy and create jobs.

In the second quarter of this year, the Salt Lake Chamber’s CEOutlook, a new statewide economic survey, asked of Utah business executives about the impact of federal tax reform, reducing the corporate rate, would have on their companies:

Increase Captial Spending Improve Company’s Global Competitiveness Increased Hiring

No Change

50% 42%

N=38

40%

Other Don’t Know

29%

30% 21% 20%

18%

21%

8%

10% 0%

Source: Salt Lake Chamber’s CEOutlook - 17-Q2

HEALTH AND ENTITLEMENT REFORM In many ways, Utah’s health systems are the envy of the world—they have helped many individuals live longer than ever and enjoy a better quality of life than previously possible. However, we continue to face the challenge of making quality health care more affordable, more accessible, and more reliable for all Utahns. We urge our delegation to focus on promoting effective private sector solutions to our health care challenges that will help control costs, expand access, and improve the quality of care.

This is in addition to the need for real entitlement reform. The Federal Government’s fiscal policies are simply not sustainable, largely because the entitlement programs are not sustainable in their current form. The Chamber is calling for government reforms that will address the looming crisis of unsustainable entitlement programs, keep deficit spending low for the long-term, and rein in our growing debt. We urge our delegation to work with the business community to put America’s seniors, families, and taxpayers on the road to a more secure future.

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Top Issues for Utah’s Business Community EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE A universally held concern among business leaders about the future of business growth in the state of Utah is the need for a skilled workforce. In many respects, Washington can only do so much and can even succeed by doing less. The Chamber is focused on fixing shortcomings in our education system so that: students emerge from our public education system prepared for college or career; higher education is more accessible and affordable; employers can find workers with the right skills and qualifications; and our workforce will attract investment, drive growth, and spur innovation. We need our delegation to help support these goals when key legislation is advanced.

In the second quarter of this year, the Salt Lake Chamber’s CEOutlook, a new statewide economic survey, asked of Utah business executives about the single greatest barrier to their growth:

50%

Workforce (limited labor pool or quality of candidates)

Transportation or Infrastructure Related Challenges

40%

Market Size or Growing Customer Base

Internal Company Dynamics

30%

Access to Capital or Real Estate Challenges

Other Government Challenges

20%

Regulation or Taxes

Other Economic Challenges

42%

N=38

24%

8%

10%

3%

3%

0%

Source: Salt Lake Chamber’s CEOutlook - 17-Q2

OTHER TOP FEDERAL ISSUES HIGHLIGHTED BY BOARD MEMBERS

Infrastructure Investment

Energy and Environment

Global Trade and International Engagement 5

2017 FEDERAL PRIORITIES

11%

8%

Immigration Reform

Broad Regulatory Reform

3%

Agenda Highlights TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Welcome Dinner | Mastro’s Steakhouse

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 Navigating the Age of Disruption: Bruce Mehlman, Executive Director of the Technology CEO Council and Co-Chairman of the Internet Innovation Alliance.

Tour of the Federal Reserve with Congresswoman Mia Love Popular Culture in the White House with Author Tevi Troy; Brief discussion on his book, “Shall we wake the President?”

The Future Tax Reform: Chairman Kevin Brady, House Ways and Means Committee hosted by Senator Orrin Hatch The Future of Conservatism: A Conversation with Senator Jeff Flake and Senator Mike Lee Business and Public Lands: Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke hosted by Congressman Rob Bishop Reception with Governor Gary Herbert, AT&T Forum on the Hill

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 Top Issue Roundtables with U.S. Chamber Staff Secretary of Air Force Heather Wilson hosted by Congressman Chris Stewart Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Addressing Homelessness in D.C.: Walking Tour and Panel Discussion hosted by Downtown Alliance Hail to the Chiefs: A Discussion with the Chiefs of Staff of Utah’s Federal Delegation Honoring Utah’s Veterans hosted by Governor Gary Herbert We have put together a mobile Guidebook that includes detailed descriptions of each event as well as Google maps, speaker bios and the attendee list. This app is the easiest way to keep up-to-date on any changes to the itinerary and will be updated daily while we are in the city. Once you have downloaded the app search for Salt Lake Chamber Washington, D. C. Trip 2017 and download the trip guide. You will also find staff cell phone contact information under the information section of the app.

ANNUAL WASHINGTON, D.C. TRIP

Sponsored by

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Taking Action on Federal Issues for Utah Business in AUGUST 2016

R O U N DTA B L E T E C H N O LO G Y R O U N D TA B L E WITH CONGRESSMAN CHAFFETZ AND U.S. CHAMBER

B R I E F I N G INFRASTRUCTURE S P E N D I N G U P D AT E F R O M S E N AT O R H AT C H ’ S T E A M

B R I E F I N G FEDERAL OVERTIME RULE WITH CONGRESSWOMAN LOVE TO CO-HOSTED WITH SANDY CHAMBER

SEPTEMBER 2016

R O U N DTA B L E P U B L I C - P R I VAT E PA R T N E R S H I P D I S C U S S I O N CO-HOSTED WITH N AT I O N A L G O V E R N O R S A S S O C I AT I O N

E V E N T A N N UA L WA S H I N G TO N, D.C. TRIP

DECEMBER 2016

L E T T E R JOINED 380 CHAMBERS A N D A S S O C I AT I O N S SUPPORTING FEDERAL R E G U L AT I O N R E F O R M

JANUARY 2017

E V E N T 2 0 1 7 U TA H E C O N O M I C REVIEW AND POLICY SUMMIT CO-HOSTED WITH KEM C. GARDNER POLICY INSTITUTE

FEBRUARY 2017

L E T T E R F U L L PA G E A D O N T R A D E A N D I M M I G R AT I O N

L E T T E R JOINED 616 GROUPS SUPPORTING FEDERAL R E G U L AT I O N R E F O R M

MARCH 2017

E V E N T CYBERSECURITY CONFERENCE WITH U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

APRIL 2017

E V E N T NEW AMERICAN PIONEERS AWA R D S W I T H N AT I O N A L I M M I G R AT I O N F O R U M

R O U N DTA B L E BUSINESS LEADERS DISCUSSED TRADE WITH F E D E R A L D E L E G AT I O N A N D GOVERNOR HERBERT

E V E N T P R E S E N TAT I O N O F S P I R I T O F E N T E R P R I S E AWA R D S TO F E D E R A L D E L E G AT I O N

B R I E F I N G N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S C O M M I T T E E U P D AT E O N ENERGY POLICY AND R E G U L AT I O N W I T H S E N AT O R L E E ’ S S TA F F

2016-2017 B R I E F I N G H E A LT H S Y S T E M R E F O R M C O M M I T T E E U P D AT E O N H E A LT H C A R E R E F O R M F R O M S E N AT E F I N A N C E C O M M I T T E E S TA F F

L E T T E R JOINED GOVERNOR H E R B E R T, M AY O R B I S K U P S K I IN SUPPORT OF OPEN SKIES T O S E C R E TA R I E S T I L L E R S O N AND CHAO

M AY 2017

B R I E F I N G U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE POLITICAL E N G A G E M E N T U P D AT E T O EXECUTIVE BOARD

L E T T E R SUPPORTING FOSTERING M E D I C A L I N N O VAT I O N S I N T R A D E N E G O T I AT I O N S

E V E N T WAT E R P O L I C Y F O R U M WITH U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

E V E N T PA R T I C I PAT E D I N N AT I O N A L INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK

JUNE 2017

R O U N DTA B L E BUSINESS LEADERS D I S C U S S E D H E A LT H C A R E W I T H S E C R E TA R Y TOM PRICE

B R I E F I N G H E A LT H S Y S T E M R E F O R M C O M M I T T E E U P D AT E O N H E A LT H C A R E R E F O R M F R O M S E N AT O R L E E ’ S S TA F F

L E T T E R CHAMBER AND WORLD T R A D E C E N T E R U TA H OFFICIAL COMMENTS TO FEDERAL REGISTER ON N A F TA N E G O T I AT I O N S

AUGUST 2017

E V E N T ENCOURAGED BUSINESS LEADER ENGAGEMENT IN THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SPECIAL ELECTION

E V E N T 4TH ANNUAL SOLUTIONS S U M M I T W I T H S E N AT O R L E E

SEPTEMBER 2017

P R E S S S TAT E M E N T O N D A C A A N D P U S H F O R I M M I G R AT I O N REFORM

L E T T E R J O I N E D N AT I O N A L CHAMBERS WITH SIGN-ON L E T T E R T O S U P P O R T N A F TA

E V E N T A N N UA L WA S H I N G TO N, D.C. TRIP

FEATURED HIGHLIGHTS STANDING UP FOR FREE TRADE AND BALANCED IMMIGRATION REFORM

BUSINESS LEADERS DISCUSSED HEALTH CARE WITH SECRETARY TOM PRICE

In February, the Salt Lake Chamber and World Trade Center Utah joined together on an open letter to Utah’s federal delegation addressing President Donald Trump’s executive orders on trade and immigration, expressing concern about their possible impacts on the Utah economy.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, talked with state business leaders, including Chamber President and CEO, Lane Beattie, and our Health System Reform Committee Chairs about their concerns with rising health care costs during a roundtable discussion inside Colonial Flag.

An Open Letter to Utah’s Congressional Leaders Senator Orrin Hatch Senator Mike Lee

Representative Rob Bishop Representative Jason Chaffetz

Representative Mia Love Representative Chris Stewart

Dear Representatives and Senators: We are concerned about recent trade and immigration executive orders and their potential impact on Utah’s economy. We know you are concerned about jobs in Utah and hope that you would do everything in your power to avoid a national policy that hurts our economy.

As our elected representatives in Congress, we ask that you work with your colleagues to mitigate any possible negative consequences of these actions.

Utah’s economy is among the strongest in the nation, in large part because of free trade. In 2015, Utah exported $13.3 billion worth of goods, a 9 percent increase from the previous year. We rank 4th in the nation for export growth and nearly one in four Utah jobs are supported by international business. Over 3,500 companies export from Utah and 85 percent of those companies are small businesses.

Trade opens our landlocked state to millions of new customers and opportunities that would not be available in a closed economy.

This is especially true in rural Utah where tourism and access to international markets are critical for economic vitality. We recognize the challenges faced by those who lose their jobs through the disruption and displacement that accompanies economic growth. But we support the Utah model of retraining people for growth industries, not retreating from global economic opportunities.

In addition to trade, immigration plays an important role in our state’s economic success. We support balanced and nondiscriminatory immigration policies that provide access to the best possible workforce. Immigrants contribute their skills to help Utah businesses grow and bolster our economic strength. This is true for both high-skilled jobs and hourly employees. We recognize the role that immigrants play as workers and taxpayers and reaffirm Utah's global reputation as a welcoming and business-friendly state. The way we treat immigrants will say more about us as a free society and less about our immigrant neighbors. These sentiments are echoed in The Utah Compact, a document that business, religious and community leaders developed in 2010 that still forms the basis for Utah’s approach to immigration reform.

We are concerned that executive orders signed by President Trump could limit Utah's ability to succeed in the global marketplace. The way these decisions have been communicated is not constructive to building the U.S. brand and fostering a positive economic climate.

We look to you, our representatives, to help find tangible, productive and prompt solutions. We cannot delay and we cannot continue on the present course as reported throughout the media. Any insights that you may have that differ from the reported actions would be most helpful.

Utah’s congressional delegation has always worked to protect market opportunities for Utah businesses and advance immigration reform that supports our growing economy. We ask that you continue to lead on these issues.

Utah is best served by a free-market philosophy that maximizes individual freedom and opportunity. We must continue to foster conservative business principles that favor competition and free enterprise. We urge you to work with the new Trump administration and your colleagues in Congress to support reasonable trade deals and balanced immigration policies that will continue to help Utah companies succeed.

Sincerely, Lane Beattie

President and CEO Salt Lake Chamber

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Derek Miller

President and CEO World Trade Center Utah

2017 FEDERAL PRIORITIES

COLLABORATION OUR BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS Senator Mike Lee partnered with the Salt Lake Chamber to host the 4th annual day-long Utah Solutions Summit to discuss the importance of collaboration in today’s political and business climate.

Public Policy and Government Relations Initiatives As Utah’s Business Leader, the Salt Lake Chamber has a comprehensive strategy to engage, communicate and advocate for probusiness public policy. Almost without exception, every major event and accomplishment in Salt Lake—and Utah more broadly— has felt the influence of the Chamber.

The Chamber fills an essential function within our community. Government cannot fill this function—for often the Chamber must challenge the government’s direction. A narrow industry group cannot fill this function—because the voice of any particular industry is not strong enough to protect even their own interests. Only the Chamber can stand up for the broad-based needs of the business community. Only the Chamber can give legitimate claim to “The Voice of Business.”

As the voice of business, the Salt Lake Chamber develops principles, policies and positions on major issues affecting Utah businesses. Key to this effort is the work of policy-related committees, subcommittees, task forces and councils involving more than 850 representatives of member corporations, organizations and the academic community who serve voluntarily. In almost every instance, significant public policy issue positions originate within one of these Chamber components. Participation on a committee by a member is not explicit support for any one position.

To learn more at www.slchamber.com

PUBLIC POLICY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM

Lane Beattie President and CEO 801-328-5073 lbeattie@slchamber.com

Abby Osborne VP of Government Relations 801-831-6116 aosborne@slchamber.com

Michael Parker, MPP VP of Public Policy 801-541-8466 mmparker@slchamber.com

Vance Checketts VP of Dell EMC Salt Lake Chamber Public Policy Chair & Executive Board Member

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