SALT LAKE CITY- (June 12, 2009) Stimulating the local economy is the top public policy priority for the next year for the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors. Board members discussed and were surveyed on a range of issues during the annual Board of Governors Retreat yesterday. During the day-long meeting the majority of board members also indicated they believe the economy has bottomed out. “We’re very optimistic about the future,” said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “We’re weathering the storm far better than the rest of the country. We still face some challenges but we’re making decisions now to ensure we emerge in a stronger position than before the downturn.” Statistics reflect the difference between Utah and the rest of the nation. Unemployment is 5.2 percent, far below the national rate of 8.9 percent. Growth is negative for both the state and the nation but that rate is more than half a point better in Utah than the national rate. “Our highest priority is getting the economy back on track,” said Chris Redgrave, the Chamber’s outgoing chair. “A year ago nobody was predicting the economic challenge we have experienced. We brought business together to find a way forward and we’ll continue work to improve our economic outlook.” The Chamber convened the Utah Economic Can-Do Coalition in early 2009. The group successfully pushed bonding for spade-ready building projects, full funding of USTAR, the creation of a housing stimulus program and funding for road projects to improve infrastructure while giving the economy a shot in the arm. Health System Reform A year ago, the Chamber Board determined that no other single legislative issue has a greater impact on Utah businesses than skyrocketing health care costs. While Utah has the most efficient and highest quality of medical care in the country, the costs of health care continue to rise. Compared to just nine years ago, Utah employers are paying 100 percent more for employee health care benefits. In September 2008, the Chamber drafted the Health System Reform Business Bill of Rights and Responsibilities which was signed by business leaders representing half of Utah’s workforce. The document calls for increased accountability, elimination of waste, transformed incentives and human compassion. During the 2009 General Legislative Session, three significant pieces of legislation (HB 188, 165 and 331) moved health system reform forward. “We were very pleased with the progress we made finding local solutions for the nation’s broken health system,” said Jake Boyer who will succeed Redgrave as board chair July 1. “We’re not backing away from our commitment to the issue.” The Chamber Board of Governors was also asked whether the organization’s health system reform efforts should be accelerated or scaled back because of the possibility of federal reform. The result: overwhelming support (70.91 percent) to accelerate state-level, consumer driven reform. “That speaks to our commitment to fundamentally changing the health system,” said Scott Hymas, former chair of the Chamber Board of Governors and a driving force behind the push for reform. “Sitting idly by and waiting for a federal solution has not been our approach in the past and it will not be in the future.” Education A successful workforce for tomorrow depends on education. Business leaders see education reform as a growing concern. The Chamber Board of Governors ranked the issue as the second most critical for the upcoming year. “We need higher levels of educational achievement if we’re going to drive innovation in the future,” said Rich Kendell, former Utah Commissioner of Higher Education, who spoke to the board. “More than two-thirds of the new jobs created will require some form of post-secondary education.” Only 38 percent of board members agree that workers are prepared with the analytical, critical, creative thinking, communication, teamwork and other skills required to do the job. Half of the businesses represented by board members say the workers they will hire over the next decade will be college graduates from a Utah university or college while only two percent will hire those who have no education beyond a high school diploma. Board members also indicated they believe the best way to improve educational outcomes is to make the curriculum more rigorous. Over 90 percent of board members surveyed indicated a potential willingness to increase taxes and money spent on public education—providing it is spent well. However, only 38 percent feel that money invested would be well spent in the current system. Energy Utahn businesses benefit from the lowest energy prices in the country—an enticement that has drawn many businesses to relocate to the state. As one of four energy exporting states in the nation, Utah has a vested interest in national energy policy; the board survey indicates the issue is one of growing concern. “Low energy costs are a source of competitive advantage for Utah businesses,” said Keith Rattie, Chairman, president and CEO of Questar Corp. and past Chamber chair. “It’s one we want to preserve.” “There’s no doubt our energy prices are an incredible advantage over other states,” said Beattie. “Ensuring businesses has the energy it needs and maintaining low rates is essential to Utah’s long term economic strength of our state.” Downtown Rising The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to Downtown Salt Lake City as Utah’s historical capital of culture, commerce and entertainment. The board indicated that corporate recruitment was a top priority for downtown. About the Chamber The Salt Lake Chamber is Utah’s largest business association and Utah’s Business Leader. With roots that date back to 1887, the Chamber has been standing as the voice of business, supporting its members’ success and championing community prosperity for over 100 years. The Chamber represents over 4,600 businesses statewide and one in every three jobs in the Utah economy. Chamber strategic partners include the Downtown Alliance and World Trade Center Utah. http://www.saltlakechamber.org/