January 10th, 2010
To Supporters and Business Owners:
Since I last emailed you regarding the state of the City, County and State politics much has taken place and yet much stays the same. All three governmental entities are struggling with budget issues. Candidates are coming out of the woodwork to run for office, the local business community is more fractured today than a year ago with the onslaught of attacks against the Chamber, MTCVB and TREO. A parallel group is launching a recall against Council Members Uhlich and Romero along with Mayor Walkup and the Rio Nuevo District Board is being redesigned by the Governor, House Speaker and the Senate President.
The County is grappling whether or not to run a bond election this year and the Phoenix Leadership Group is launching a campaign to raise the State sales tax by 1/10 of 1 % to funds arts. And the Pima County Sports and Tourism Board is trying to decide on whether or not to run an election to add a dedicated tax for economic development of youth, senior, armature and professional sports. Of the three issues noted, the Sports Authority is the only dedicated funding source for real economic impact to this region. I must note that I am a board member here and personally do support this effort. Our supporters will have their say in all the matters.
Having given you a brief update, I am and will continue to put forth opportunities for success of our region. We spent much time and financial resources promoting business issues and getting our business community educated about the last election. We were part of a big effort by many to elect one business minded candidate and we have found more allies on the City Council as a result. We made the City budget an issue and we are now starting to realize the fruits of our labors, but much more needs to be done. We were also acknowledged by the media, other business organizations and the elected bodies as a group willing to do the leg work on finding solutions, not just yell about them. We made progress, but much more is needed to make Southern Arizona a great place to live and work so all can realize their vision. Without a strong business environment we will have little for others to benefit.
As I may agree that changes are needed in a variety of the ways the business community does things, I personally do not agree with the process being taken against Jack Camper. I don’t think making things personal accomplishes anything but to further build divides among the business community. The recall is for real, but again further broadens the gap between business and government. The Mayor in this form of government has little legislative authority and it is the system that needs changing with respect to the powers of the Mayor. I want to give the benefit of the doubt and trust he will be more assertive with the two newly elected council members and an overall attitude adjustment towards business. I do agree the two Council Members should consider alternate careers, however there is a regular process and this will further cost the tax payers additional financial resources that may not be readily available. This is my personal opinion and I respect the rights and the supporters of the recall to do as they feel appropriate. Many are personal friends and I will continue to treat them as friends, respectfully disagreeing on this issue.
I committed to be operate with respect, responsibility and discipline and to focus on principles, not personalities and will maintain this commitment. I do not tell people how to vote, whom to support or what efforts they should or should not participate with. I will provide non-partisan business information for each Supporter and Friend of business. The final choice is yours, not mine. Given all that is going on I am outlining some ideas and efforts that I believe this company and its supporters can successfully champion.
A Vision of Action:
1. Non partisan elections and Charter Changes: We are working with the Southern Arizona Business Round Table subcommittee on addressing some much needed charter changes over the next couple of years. Ideas that have come back are; Mayor and Council parity, Strong Mayor form of Government and Annexation for the whole region, elimination of the 6 mile rule for incorporation. The latter needs to be addressed by the Legislature and I will keep you apprised on the progress of this effort. Further the City of Tucson should stop the opposition of the recently passed legislation and let Non-Partisan elections stand. This could also save tax payer monies.
2. We have spoken at length about consolidating government, but what about doing the same with economic development entities and chambers: Joining together and privatizing Economic Development, except MTCVB statutory funding of the 33% bed tax, where all of us working in unison to reach our goals. I am recommending that we start with the TMCC, TREO and the MTCVB. We may have different disciplines, but we can work better together than we have been and each constituency will have a better idea of what the others are doing. We can address the concerns of all the regions from a centralized position of power and become the basis for real economic growth. As this success begins other chambers can become a big part of this process and reduce the cost of memberships by businesses and duplication of efforts. A unified business voice is needed to advance our goals. This is a touchy subject and many will be unhappy about this idea, but how can we ask government to do things the business way when we find ourselves doing things the government way. This is a real discussion that needs to be had. Note: I do not include the trade organizations as they provide a special relationship that should be maintained with their members. Trainings and the like are valuable tools for each of these organizations and should be maintained.
3. Regional Purchasing by Government: City, County and TUSD coordinate purchasing of like items to establish leverage, reduce cost and avoid duplication of purchases. We could even consider a regional purchasing department to cover like resources needed to be used by the three entities. Again, this would require that egos get out of the way and get things done in a more congruent fashion.
4. Website: Continue with the Candidate page for all the races and submit business questions so each of them can respond to the business community on a regular basis. We need to ask the hard questions on a regular basis as things are changing week by week. We need to let them know our voices need to be heard and they should be accountable to the people who generate the taxes to support government.
5. Support the candidates and elected officials that support good business and responsible government: Then we need to be disciplined about which candidates to support. Incumbents assume business should donate to protect their interest, but all this does in enable bad government. Make incumbents and candidates accountable before giving. If they don’t support good business practices by government, quit giving them money.
6. Find political leadership, including school boards, city, county and state: This requires us all to get involved and support the changes needed to move us forward. We are facing another round of very important elections and we must challenge all candidates to either prove they’ve acted in our best interest or elect those that will. We have no other way to change the way government does business. We can devise a Metro Government, merge budgets and complain all we want, but until we have real leaders we can’t do anything. So get off your political couches and educate your employees, family and friends on the importance of evaluating the candidates and voting for a real opportunity to make changes. We must have elected people that understand how business works and are willing to engage our ideas as part of their total responsibility. We can build a balanced city.
7. Expanding involvement with our next generation of business and political leaders is an integral part of this process: Help elevate our next generation of business persons to get involved in school boards and local politics. Educate, encourage and enhance the lives of these fine people with your experience, wisdom and understanding. Pass the torch to the next generation. It’s not so much what we have that is important, it’s what we leave for the next generations to build upon that make our presence invaluable and our legacies memorable.
8. Embrace new business opportunities: With all that’s been said with respect to taxes, budget cuts and a myriad of other fearful messages regarding business, I would ask they we look at the opportunities to promote new businesses and wealth creation. Over the next couple of months I will explore with you new businesses that want to start up, and what they are bringing to the table.
Steve Emerine - Inside Tucson Business, December 15th, 2008
“If local elected officials and business leaders want to rebuild Tucson’s
downtown and hang onto our tourism and convention business, gem and
mineral shows, spring training baseball, professional golf tournaments
and other attractions for residents and visitors alike, they can.
But if government and business leaders don’t lead, can’t unite the community
and don’t want to be bothered with local problems, we are all the losers.
We have to decide collectively that when times get tough, the tough do indeed get going.”
Thank you and we need more support: I want to thank those of you that have supported our efforts financially and our media partners for their help in getting the word out. We have made real progress because of your support and now I’m asking you to invite a fellow business owner to do the same. We are moving forward in a positive way and we have done so with respect, responsibility and discipline. We have become and will continue to become a voice for real change in the way our political policies affect us. We are taking action and I need your help in keeping this moving forward.
Your financial help is important, but your educated participation in change is invaluable.
Who: Smart United Business Strategies, Inc. (SUBS) is a private non-partisan for profit-corporation established to act as a business lobbyist for the betterment of Tucson and the surrounding communities. We will advocate with clarity, confidence, and the conviction necessary to achieve our objectives. We have a commitment to making REAL change happen.
Mission Statement: Our mission is to make Tucson and Southern Arizona a desirable place to live, work, and interact in. We will implement strategies critical to healthy community growth and stability, supported by an active business contingency and a neutral political environment. This is absolutely critical to our future success.
Community Message: For too long the business community has let apathy about our government rule. Without a strong and viable business atmosphere we will not have the resources to sustain a working economy. We can co-exist with the neighborhoods and the surrounding beautiful desert in a positive manner and enlightened environment when we work together. We are going to grow and we must do so in an efficient strategic manner! We must walk the talk.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rick