FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

2020 Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Legislative Priorities

The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce engages with the area’s public and private sectors to create economic prosperity for our communities and residents. Though collaboration with businesses and stakeholders, the Chamber determines priorities for the legislative session, which are then vetted by the Chamber’s public policy committee, executive committee, and the board of directors. The following list highlights the Chamber’s Legislative priorities for the 2020 session:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHAMBER SUPPORTS:

• Appropriate funding for the Santa Fe Regional Airport for immediate needed improvements, expanded capacity and future master planning to bring the facility up to date for regional travel needs

• Increased state investment for the New Mexico Tourism Department and the New Mexico Economic Development Partnership for marketing and promotional activities

• Continued use and funding of the New Mexico True Campaign and the Community Coop Program

• Government policies that foster continued private sector investment and innovation by eliminating barriers to broadband network deployment

• Significant investment in infrastructure such roads, bridges and broadband that supports job growth in all regions of New Mexico

• Maintaining the exclusive use of Lodgers Tax for marketing New Mexico and its cities to attract tourists

• Streamlining of alcohol regulations regarding events, breweries, wineries and distilleries

• Continued use of tax incentives to support the New Mexico film and media industries

• Policy that seeks to improve Santa Fe and New Mexico’s regulatory and business environment

• Collaborative programs that will increase the supply of affordable housing in New Mexico

• Support for appropriate development at the SFUAD campus with focus on job creation and housing

EDUCATION AND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT CHAMBER SUPPORTS:

• Continued support for the new Department of Early Childhood Development to recruit and manage teachers and implement new investment in Early Childhood Education

• Efforts to reduce school dropout rate

• Policy and development of teacher evaluation system(s) that are based on measurable student achievement and encourages continued training opportunities for teachers

• Creation of Early Childhood Permanent Fund through additional general fund revenues to fund highquality early childhood services and more matching of service offerings to meet local community education and family needs

CHAMBER OPPOSES:

• Any distribution from the NM Land Grant Permanent Fund

REGULATORY and GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY CHAMBER SUPPORTS:

• Implementation of a one-stop Santa Fe City business portal and statewide business licensing system with meaningful involvement from the business community to effectively streamline business filings and registrations

• Evaluation of the state tax code for recommendations to minimize the disproportionate burden on industries, individuals, and employers

• Development of a statewide economic development plan

CHAMBER OPPOSES:

• The idea of a Santa Fe City Public/ Community Bank or the proposal of a NM State Public Bank

WORKPLACE ISSUES CHAMBER SUPPORTS:

• State preemption of local government mandates on employers, such as paid or unpaid leave mandates, wage or fringe benefit mandates, and scheduling mandates, in order to provide a stable environment for employers and promote economic development

• The Chamber supports more research into cannabis use to provide perspective on an employer’s ability to maintain a drug free workplace

Bridget Dixson, IOM President and CEO

Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce