This opinion column by Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden originally in The Arizona Capitol Times. 

In their memoir , Milton and Rose Friedman wrote that property rights 鈥渁re the鈥痬ost basic of human rights and an essential foundation for other human rights.鈥�

That鈥檚 a good framing to consider the state of property rights in Arizona and how leaders like Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell are doing in upholding this 鈥渆ssential foundation.鈥�

Here are a few points on why I believe Mitchell deserves high marks on her private property scorecard:

Organized retail theft

Shoplifting, or shrinkage in retail industry parlance, has always been a source of worry for retailers.

But today鈥檚 thieves are cannier than ever, often part of sophisticated organized retail crime rings that steal merchandise to be resold.

Since early in her term as county attorney, Mitchell has made cracking down on organized retail crime a top priority. She has assembled a task force that includes private sector members, launched a safe shopping campaign during the holiday season, and hasn鈥檛 gone soft on pursuing tough sentences for convicted thieves.

Not everyone in her position has adopted a similar strategy.

After San Francisco Mayor London Breed help from her city鈥檚 board of supervisors in combating a soaring property crime rate, District Attorney Chesa Boudin downplayed the progressive policies that contributed to rising crime, casting blame toward the reforms he supported was 鈥渕isguided鈥� and that we instead should examine the 鈥渞oot causes of crime,鈥� ticking off areas where the social safety net has too many holes.

Voters weren鈥檛 having it. They him from office in June 2022.

Mitchell鈥檚 crackdown on organized retail crime rings sends a powerful message, and the right one 鈥� justice will be served, and criminals will be held accountable for their actions. You won鈥檛 find San Francisco-style criminal justice policies in Maricopa County.

The dinnertime burglars

In January, the Scottsdale Police Department announced that in a less-than-three-month span it had received more than 20 calls about burglaries that had occurred during the dinner hour, especially at homes that abut golf courses or greenbelts. Jewelry was often the target of break-ins.

Phoenix police in February arrested three suspects. The investigation has revealed that this was hardly a group of small time bandits. The thieves had ties to a South American crime ring, had been connected to more than 100 burglaries in the Valley, and had been responsible for the theft of more than $3 million in goods. They were all from Chile but were carrying fake Spanish IDs.

The bad guys weren鈥檛 just slipping in through an unlocked door. They had high-tech equipment to jam alarm systems, and tools to cleanly punch through windows and pick locks.

Mitchell gave the case the attention it deserved. Working with Scottsdale and Phoenix PDs, the investigation expanded to six suspects being charged, one of whom has been involved in similar burglaries in Nevada and California. They鈥檝e all been charged with a series of felonies and are being held on cash-only bonds.

So, why does the business community care about how and whether the county attorney pursues prosecutions for property crimes?

Beyond retailers wanting to protect their inventories or businesses wanting to protect their premises, the ability to own, use, and dispose of property as one sees fit is essential for innovation, investment, and societal progress. Without strong protections for property owners, we risk stifling entrepreneurship and discouraging individuals from investing in their communities.

Don鈥檛 buy the argument from Mitchell鈥檚 critics that stringent property laws disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Strong property rights benefit everyone, regardless of socio-economic status. They provide individuals with a sense of security and empowerment, enabling them to build wealth and achieve upward mobility.

When prosecutors look the other way on property crime, it just encourages more crime and of increasing severity, including squatting, which is its own magnet for drug use and other illicit behavior.

Like we saw in San Francisco, policymakers will find out that a lackadaisical approach to protecting private property will have political consequences. Voters in Arizona will decide in November whether property owners should be able to recoup at least a portion of any expenses that result from a city鈥檚 failure to control a public nuisance that infringes on their property rights.

Ultimately, the strength of a society is measured by its respect for individual rights and the rule of law. By safeguarding private property rights and holding criminals accountable, Rachel Mitchell is not only protecting our homes and businesses but is also preserving the principles upon which our nation was founded.

Danny Seiden is president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry.

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This opinion column by Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden originally in The Phoenix Business Journal. 

As an Arizona sports fan, I can鈥檛 help but lament that in , we鈥檝e lost our place among the handful of markets that could claim a franchise in the highest levels of football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. There was a sense of civic pride 鈥� at least for those of us who care about sports 鈥� for being part of such an exclusive club.  

As the leader of a business organization, I鈥檓 disappointed about the loss of a prominent business. We don鈥檛 often think of our sports franchises when we think of leading job creators, but we should.  

Not only do our teams employ well-compensated athletes and front office staff, but they鈥檙e also the enterprises behind stadium and arena workers鈥� jobs. They add to concessionaire and restaurateurs鈥� bottom line. They move merchandise for our retailers. Maybe most of all, they鈥檙e an integral part of the state鈥檚 brand beyond our borders. 

When your team is on national TV 鈥� like the , or the Suns in the playoffs 鈥� it鈥檚 publicity that even the best tourism marketing campaign can鈥檛 buy. 

Few markets have as much to offer as Phoenix and all of Arizona.  

We have outstanding MLB, NFL, and NBA franchises that are contributing to the Valley and state鈥檚 economic health. Consider the new multimillion-dollar Suns practice facility and the Mercury鈥檚 new , also home to the teams鈥� new offices.  

We鈥檝e rightly earned a sterling reputation for hosting mega events like Super Bowls, college football bowl games, World Baseball Classics, All-Star games, two NASCAR weekends and, as we proved earlier this month, . The Footprint Center will host the women鈥檚 edition in 2026. This summer, Phoenix is home to the WNBA All-Star Game, and will host the NBA All-Star Game in 2027.  

All of that鈥檚 on top of our annual Cactus League that welcomes fans from all over the country to 10 modern stadiums all within a 45-minute drive of one another, and signature PGA Tour and PGA Champions Tour events like the WM Phoenix Open and the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.  

It all adds up to hundreds of millions of dollars in positive economic impact and created by sports and sports tourism. 

Arizona has been on the receiving end of teams that relocated. Now we鈥檙e the ones saying goodbye. Some markets have gotten a team back. The NHL returned to Winnipeg, for example, after shipping the Jets to Phoenix in 1996, but another market 鈥� Atlanta 鈥� lost a team for that to happen. Other markets haven鈥檛 been so lucky, just ask fans of the Hartford Whalers or Quebec Nordiques. Does anyone think the NFL will return to St. Louis?  

Don’t let the D-backs slip away

To ensure we don鈥檛 find ourselves in this predicament again, there are a few things that we as a business community need to commit to doing: 

It鈥檚 not a guarantee, but I鈥檓 going to assume that the hockey ownership group will win the auction in June for the land where it wants to put a new arena. Once that鈥檚 done, the cooperation from the city of Phoenix must be seamless. We can鈥檛 afford to slow-walk permits or bog the project down with needless studies and analyses. Where there鈥檚 red tape, it has to be cut. 

Take nothing for granted. We鈥檝e lost a franchise. Don鈥檛 think it can鈥檛 happen again. Just ask Oakland and San Diego what happens when teams start looking for the exit. It鈥檚 demoralizing and leagues get skittish about placing another team in a soft market.

With that in mind, let鈥檚 get serious about finding a solution for the Diamondbacks, whose . Whether it鈥檚 a modernization of the downtown ballpark or a new home, we can鈥檛 let them leave. Let鈥檚 not delude ourselves into thinking Salt Lake couldn鈥檛 pick our pocket again.

The D-backs are the type of corporate citizens other communities would welcome with open arms. Who wouldn鈥檛 want a business responsible for contributing more than $85 million to charitable partners and whose most recent post-season success generated more than $100 million in positive economic activity?  

Maricopa County voters in 2000 passed Proposition 302, which established the mechanism that allowed State Farm Stadium to get built and maintained. We should at least consider the best model for a stadium solution for the Diamondbacks. 

Lawmakers and the governor should commit to recapitalizing the mega events fund, the account that helps host committees put together the bid packages to lure big events like Super Bowls and college championships.  

Our sports franchises are important members of the Arizona business community and an immense point of pride. Let鈥檚 resolve to secure another NHL club and ensure that our current teams know they鈥檙e welcome and valued.

Danny Seiden is president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry.

Photo Picasa

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This column originally appeared in the .

Voters in Salt River Project鈥檚 service territory will play a significant role in determining the future of a large portion of Arizona鈥檚 energy and water policies when they cast their ballots on April 2. They should choose wisely. Their votes will determine whether SRP maintains its steady, environmentally and economically responsible trajectory, or whether it adopts a dramatic and expensive change of course. 

Opponents of the current SRP board and council occupy an extreme wing of the environmental movement. They鈥檙e calling for reforms so sweeping that they鈥檒l cause customers鈥� power bills to spike to untenable levels. 

SRP鈥檚 contribution to the state鈥檚 economic success is too important to pursue change motivated by a rigid ideological agenda. Some changes might be beneficial, but voters and SRP鈥檚 elected leaders should prioritize stability, reliability, and the interests of all stakeholders, including businesses and homeowners.

Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry

Salt River Project plays a vital role as the nation鈥檚 largest public power company, supplying electricity and water to a significant portion of Arizona. Its governance should strike a balance between innovation and proven strategies that ensure affordable and reliable services for its commercial and residential customers.

SRP has smartly integrated renewable energy sources into its system. Critics say it鈥檚 been too slow. But the transition to clean energy must be managed responsibly to avoid disruptions and new costs that would be borne by ratepayers. We can embrace renewable energy while safeguarding the affordability and reliability of our energy supply.

Water management is another critical aspect of SRP鈥檚 responsibilities. With Arizona facing water challenges, including drought conditions, SRP鈥檚 role as a major water supplier underscores the need for informed and strategic decision-making. Collaborative efforts between SRP, stakeholders, and policymakers are essential to ensuring sustainable water practices that support economic growth and environmental stewardship.

As for SRP鈥檚 governance, the current structure has served the community well for decades. While improvements can always be considered, any changes should be carefully evaluated to uphold fairness, representation, and accountability.

Neil Giuliano, president and CEO of Greater Phoenix Leadership.

To ensure a vibrant and prosperous future for Arizona, SRP voters should support candidates who understand the complexities of energy and water management, prioritize economic growth, and promote policies that benefit businesses and residents alike.

If you鈥檙e in SRP鈥檚 territory, exercise your . You鈥檒l help determine the direction of SRP鈥檚 policies and initiatives and the state鈥檚 economic development prospects. 

The next generation of SRP leaders should commit to build a sustainable, resilient, and business-friendly energy and water infrastructure for generations to come.

SRP has served Arizona since before statehood, setting the standard for public utilities nationwide. It鈥檚 a reputation worth preserving. 

Danny Seiden is president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry; Neil Giuliano is president and CEO of Greater Phoenix Leadership.

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The following column by Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden originally appeared on .

In the latest edition of 鈥淩ich States, Poor States,鈥� an annual report assessing state economic performance across several categories, nationally for economic performance.  

The lofty ranking can in part be attributed to Arizona policymakers鈥� commitment to marketplace competition and a lighter regulatory burden on job creators.  

That commitment has resulted not only in more jobs but also has benefited Arizonans with more choices and lower prices.  

Perhaps no sector of our economy is as competitive as the grocery industry.

No longer limited to traditional grocery stores, concepts like supercenters, membership clubs and online grocers have entered the field to compete for a spot in consumers鈥� household budgets.   

The competition is fierce. Grocers need to be innovative to survive. Some, like Kroger and Albertsons, which own Fry鈥檚 and Safeway, respectively, want to team up. 

A Kroger-Albertsons merger makes sense. 

Consider that Walmart is the largest grocer in the world and in the United States, where the company鈥檚 30% national share is more than double a combined Kroger and Albertsons.

The same goes for Arizona, where, just like nationally, Walmart has a bigger market share than even a combined Kroger and Albertsons would.  

Amazon, Costco, Target, and Aldi have all grown their offerings in Arizona as well.

So, with all this competition that delivers Arizona shoppers wide selections at various price points, why is Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes by relying on a law intended to stop monopolies?  

Mayes, the FTC and other state attorneys general allege in their complaint seeking to block the merger that a combined Kroger and Albertsons will eliminate competition and raise grocery prices. They say they鈥檙e looking out for consumers and workers, but they鈥檙e doing more harm than good.

After all, if Kroger and Albertsons can鈥檛 keep pace in their current form, then stores will close, leaving shoppers with fewer choices and workers out of a job 鈥� both here in Arizona and across the country.

But under a merger, Kroger and Albertsons have committed to not close stores.

To meet competition requirements, they are , which already operates a national network supplying more than 7,500 independent grocery stores. It also owns the Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union grocery brands.  

Various stores in Arizona are part of the sale, meaning more choices for consumers and saved jobs, including union jobs. C&S said it will continue to recognize the union workforce and maintain all collective bargaining agreements. 

Claims of price hikes don鈥檛 add up, either. 

Kroger has lowered prices following other acquisitions. , Kroger has reduced its gross profit margin significantly to , as CEO Rodney McMullen testified to Congress in November 2022.

As part of the merger with Albertsons, Kroger has committed an additional $500 million to continue lowering prices after the transaction is completed. 

Mayes and opponents say they鈥檙e responding to consumers鈥� concerns and worries. But their rhetoric around the proposed merger contradicts the public commitments Kroger has made since the merger was announced.

And that only contributes to the consumer anxiety opponents cite as justification for seeking to block the deal. 

Kroger and Albertsons have made strong commitments to preserve jobs and shopper choice. We would expect the attorney general and opponents to hold them accountable for keeping their end of the bargain. 

Two grocery companies have assessed the market conditions and have concluded that a merger makes the most sense for their continued survival.  

Let the market determine whether they鈥檝e made the right calculation.

Danny Seiden is president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry

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The Arizona Corporation Commission鈥檚 decision to approve Arizona Public Service鈥檚 rate case last month was the right one. It was not only justified on the facts but also crucial for the continued economic prosperity and development of our state. 

Wise energy policy has been and continues to be central to the state鈥檚 economic development strategy. Arizona has flourished in part due to our commitment to energy choice, offering reliable and affordable electricity, natural gas, and renewable sources like solar. This commitment has set us apart from other states, and the Commission鈥檚 work to navigate the complexities of Arizona鈥檚 rate-setting process is reflective of its dedication to the important task of balancing the state鈥檚 energy needs with economic growth and sustainability. 

The battle to attract new jobs isn鈥檛 just a national one 鈥� it鈥檚 global 鈥� and energy rates play a significant role. Companies considering locating in Arizona carefully assess their operational costs, including energy expenses. The Commission鈥檚 decision in this case ensures that our state remains competitive when companies add up their projected spending, providing assurance to businesses that they will have access to reliable and affordable energy, enhancing our attractiveness as a destination for investment and job creation. 

Last summer鈥檚 record-breaking temperatures underscore the importance of a robust and resilient power grid. While other states experienced rolling blackouts and power outages, Arizona businesses and residents could count on our grid thanks to the investments and strategic planning of our utilities, and to the Commission for its support of these efforts. This reliability is not just a convenience but a fundamental necessity for industries like manufacturing to maintain 24/7 uptime. 

The substantial annual investments of approximately $1.5 billion by APS in grid maintenance demonstrate the utility鈥檚 commitment to reliability and resilience. These investments benefit businesses of all sizes and industries across its service territory, providing them with the stability and consistency necessary for success.

The diligence and foresight of the Commission in cases like this ensure APS and all Arizona utilities can keep pace with our rapid growth and continue investing in modern, less carbon-intensive infrastructure, essential for meeting the demands of today鈥檚 economy and securing Arizona鈥檚 position as a hub for future jobs. 

The members of the Corporation Commission have a tough job. They have to find that sweet spot that gives utilities the resources to ensure the state鈥檚 energy infrastructure remains reliable and modern, but without driving up rates to a level that causes Arizona to lose out on new jobs. 

A report from the real estate firm Newmark says metro Phoenix is the nation鈥檚 hottest manufacturing market thanks in part to our energy rates. If commissioners miss on a rate case decision, though, we fall from those lofty rankings and our economic outlook gets a little less rosy.

The decision in this rate case ensures Arizona job creators will have continued access to the reliable and affordable energy that is essential for our state鈥檚 economic prosperity. Credit to the commissioners for embracing their role as essential contributors to Arizona鈥檚 continued success as a leader in energy innovation and business development.

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This column originally appeared in .

The guessing game in Arizona and national politics of 鈥渨ill she or won鈥檛 she鈥� is over. Sen. (I-Ariz.) she鈥檚 not running for reelection this fall. 

Pundits at home and inside the Beltway will now likely ruminate on her political legacy. Any critical analysis will find Sinema to have been a serious, substantive and consequential U.S. senator.

No wonder she found herself out of step with today鈥檚 politics.

She proved herself an asset to an institution that many Americans have come to view as sclerotic and ineffectual, and not without justification. But Sinema set out to make her six-year term one defined by legislative accomplishments, proving that the world鈥檚 greatest deliberative body can still accomplish big things.

When touts his proudest accomplishments, he should be thanking Sinema. Without her, there鈥檚 no CHIPS and Science Act, no bipartisan infrastructure law. Had Sinema caved on the Build Back Better bill and gone along with it in its original form, it would today be an albatross around his neck. Instead, she rescued him from his party鈥檚 own worst instincts.

While some of her colleagues are giving speeches to an empty chamber or looking for a press gaggle, she is brokering meetings with members from both parties, understanding where their positions are flexible, where they鈥檙e firm, and where there鈥檚 common ground.

It was no surprise, then, that amid a crisis of migrants overwhelming the southern border, Sinema was a leader in crafting an immigration deal that the Wall Street Journal opinion page 鈥渢he most restrictive migrant legislation in decades.鈥� She saw a problem and got to work on the solution.

She鈥檚 good at the job, not willing to settle for the status quo when bipartisan solutions are within reach. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) rightly praised her as a 鈥�.鈥� If only more senators could be described as such.

Since her arrival in the Senate, she has confounded her critics and won over new admirers, McConnell among them.

She preserved the filibuster, the parliamentary norm that forces bipartisan agreement. She understands that if you鈥檙e willing to change the rules to run roughshod over your opponents, then soon enough you鈥檒l be the one getting run over.

Her election was as a Democrat, but over the years it became clear she was uncomfortable with and unwilling to acquiesce to a party apparatus that would subject her to a progressive purity test at every turn.

So, she became an independent, a tag far more fitting of her brand of politics than the strictures that come with a party label.

It鈥檚 a move that was quintessentially Arizona, a state that over the decades has produced nonconforming leaders like Sen. John McCain (R), Rep. Mo Udall (D) and Sen. Barry Goldwater (R), who, for having the temerity to endorse a Democrat over a carpetbagger, once prompted Republican activists to for the removal of his name from state party headquarters.

But despite practicing the bipartisanship Americans say they want and expect from their leaders, Democrats determined that Sinema wasn鈥檛 sufficiently progressive and ran her out of the party. Republicans, after she served up a border security bill that they claimed was a necessity, determined, apparently, that the urgency had diminished.

Like McConnell, Sinema understands politics. And so, she鈥檚 made the decision not to seek reelection, leaving the Senate, and our politics, worse off.

The previous occupant of the seat that Sinema will leave also chose to exit the Senate after only one term, of the political environment of the time, that the 鈥渇ever will someday break.鈥�

It鈥檚 been nearly six years, and the fever still rages. Partisanship is a hell of a drug, but it鈥檚 no cure for what ails us.

Danny Seiden is the president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce and Industry.

Photo Gage Skidmore

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This column by Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden originally appeared on . 

The Arizona Legislature is considering a bill that could make our regulatory environment more cumbersome, complicated and expensive, tying up private businesses in red tape and sticking taxpayers with the bill.

If it passes, Arizona鈥檚 reputation as a business-friendly state will be at risk.

The proponents of argue that private companies are discriminating against potential customers based on gun politics and thus shouldn鈥檛 be allowed to do business with the state and local governments.

They also believe that the best way to prevent such discrimination is to prohibit private entities from entering into certain contractual agreements, unless the entity鈥檚 contract includes written assurances that there will be no discrimination against any firearm entity or firearm trade association.

Private businesses of all sizes make tough decisions every day to manage risk, meet client needs and deliver returns for shareholders. All that鈥檚 hard enough to do without inserting a political agenda into the mix. 

However, the proposed remedy is far worse than the perceived problem.  

This bill is a bad deal for Arizona, replacing a market defined by supply and demand with one where politicians decide who can do business with whom.  

Other states have adopted similar blacklist policies and paid a stiff price.  

In Texas, taxpayers have been forced to shoulder鈥�痠n additional municipal borrowing costs after lawmakers there pushed out a handful of bond underwriters.

Local officials in Stillwater, Okla., had to put a series of infrastructure projects on hold after borrowing costs spiked because the lender found itself on that state鈥檚 blacklist.  

It鈥檚 a predictable consequence.

After all, fewer businesses eligible to contract with state and local governments leads to fewer choices from which the government can select for projects, which leads to higher costs for taxpayers. 

State and local governments can鈥檛 print money. When costs go up in one area, it means there are fewer resources to invest in things like public safety, sanitation and other core government responsibilities.

It鈥檚 no wonder the Arizona Association of Counties has expressed concern that bringing a blacklist law to our state would cause small, rural communities to suffer due to reduced banking services and higher costs, which will ultimately affect local taxpayers.  

Arizona鈥檚 pro-business reputation has been cultivated in part by assuring job creators that our policymaking environment is predictable and stable, and that our laws and regulations are intended to encourage job growth, not stifle it. 

But SCR 1007 signals that Arizona鈥檚 business environment can shift at any moment.

What was once an acceptable business practice could suddenly fall out of favor with whoever鈥檚 in power, jeopardizing a company鈥檚 ability to operate here.

Arizona has worked hard to cultivate a business environment where businesses can succeed or fail in a free market.

The policies proposed in SCR 1007 would make government the arbiter of who wins and who loses. Lawmakers should reject it.

Danny Seiden is president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry.

Photo Andreas Metz

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Shohei Ohtani was last season鈥檚 unanimous choice in the American League for Most Valuable Player.

The dual threat at the plate and on the mound, Ohtani hit 44 home runs last year and won 10 games as a pitcher.

Having fulfilled his contract with the Angels, the Dodgers in December nabbed Ohtani in the free agent sweepstakes with a whopping 10-year, $700 million contract, the biggest in North American sports.

Not bad for a player rehabbing an injury that will him as a designated hitter this spring and will prevent him from pitching until 2025.

That big contract would typically come with a big tax bill. Every dollar over $609,350 will be taxed at the top federal rate of 37%, and he鈥檒l reach the top California rate of 14.4% for earning more than approximately $700,000 and for being subject to the state鈥檚 wealth tax.

But here鈥檚 where the professionals on Team Ohtani get creative: most of the monster contract is deferred until after the contract period concludes. He鈥檚 only taking $2 million a year in salary, with the rest coming in annual installment payments to begin in 2034. And he鈥檚 reportedly not charging the Dodgers interest.

Going from a $700 million payroll hit in 10 years to just $20 million is a huge savings for the Dodgers, obviously. But it could be a huge savings for Ohtani, too. He鈥檚 bought himself time to get out of California before he starts to collect on the remainder of the contract.

Pulling up stakes and leaving California to avoid its tax environment would hardly be news. The state鈥檚 been hemorrhaging residents for decades. Earners of all types are heading for the exits, too. The Public Policy Institute of California that in the pandemic era, the number of higher-income households leaving the state 鈥渋ncreased dramatically鈥攆rom less than 150,000 in 2019 to almost 220,000 by 2021,鈥� though the bleeding was stanched somewhat in 2022.

Getting out of California would be a smart move for Ohtani. Federal says a state can鈥檛 impose an income tax on retirement earnings if the taxpayer doesn鈥檛 live in the state. California State Controller Malia Cohen she doesn鈥檛 like the law and called on Congress to put a cap on income deferments for high earners.

I鈥檒l let the professional leagues鈥� collective bargaining units and commissioners determine whether big-dollar contracts with substantial deferments are good for their respective sports or whether they鈥檙e a way for teams to attract stars that they otherwise couldn鈥檛 afford. (Baseball fans still mark July 1 as Bobby Bonilla Day, the day when the former player gets $1 million from the New York Mets, despite not having played in a game since 2001. The checks won鈥檛 stop coming until 2035.)

But let me instead make a pitch for another attractive free agent destination: Arizona.

The top income tax rate here is 2.5%. And it鈥檚 a flat rate. Have a great season and negotiate a new deal with a big raise? Congratulations. You鈥檒l still only be taxed at 2.5%. No surtaxes, either, for being a high earner.

Think the glitz and glamor of L.A. or New York would be better for your endorsement opportunities? Keep in mind that Suns star Devin Booker鈥檚 new shoe line from Nike in minutes over All Star Weekend.

Many big stars 鈥� Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Johnson, Shane Doan, Charles Barkley 鈥� have chosen to continue to call Arizona home beyond their playing days. Ohtani, on the other hand, will most likely be decamping for Japan or checking out other states. If not, the California taxman is waiting.

We have a different story. Thanks to an attractive tax environment, the availability of good paying jobs, a diverse economy, lots of educational options, and overall quality of life, Arizona is one of the country鈥檚 fastest growing states, proving that all Americans 鈥� not just professional athletes 鈥� are free agents in search of the most welcoming place to take their talents. 

Danny Seiden is the president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry

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This column by Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden and International Franchise Association President and CEO Matt Haller originally in the Phoenix Business Journal.

If America is the Land of Opportunity, then Arizona is opportunity鈥檚 leading outpost in the Southwest. Entrepreneurs and startups are flocking to Phoenix, Tucson, and other cities across the state, attracted by warm winters and a welcoming business climate.

In fact, the Grand Canyon State is consistently rated highly as a business investment destination, including a Top 5 Best States for Business ranking for 2023. Arizona notched 4th place in the nation last year for small business growth and has consistently been one of the top states for franchising.

According to the International Franchise Association鈥檚 newly released Franchising Economic Outlook, it is projected that 425 new franchised businesses will open in Arizona in 2024, creating over 5,500 new jobs. That means over 200,000 Arizonans will be employed by 18,559 franchise small businesses in the state.

What better place for IFA to launch its 2024 Open for Opportunity Roadshow than in Phoenix, America鈥檚 鈥渙pportunity capital.” Business and community leaders gathered this month at the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry to discuss the importance of the franchise business model and the need to preserve, support and expand this vital sector of our economy.

Franchising is one of the greatest pathways to entrepreneurship. It allows an individual from any background to enter business for themselves, but not by themselves. Franchise owners enjoy all the independence of leading their own company, but also benefit from an established brand and a network of other entrepreneurs who operate their own establishments under the same umbrella.

The franchise business model is unique but often misunderstood. That can lead to unwarranted attacks on these local businesses, whether from lawmakers in Washington or our own state Capitol.

What more people need to understand is that franchised businesses are locally owned and independent, just like any Main Street mom and pop. Many people grab a morning coffee at Dunkin鈥�, for example, without knowing it is owned and operated by a neighbor 鈥� probably right around the corner 鈥� who worries and strives to make that business a success. Franchises are also much more than just fast food. They鈥檙e everything from tutoring to car repair to home health care and more.

Franchising provides a pathway to business ownership for people who have historically faced significant barriers to entrepreneurship, including veterans, women and people of color. Black franchises earn 2.2 times more, on average, than other Black-owned businesses, and veterans comprise a stunning 14% of franchisees, although they comprise only 7% of the U.S. population.

Because these entrepreneurs come from the community, they understand local needs and give back through philanthropy and job creation. In 2023, the industry put more than $5.5 billion in Arizona workers鈥� paychecks, generated $19 billion in economic output, and contributed $8.2 billion to the gross state product. Looking forward, Arizona is predicted to be 8th in the nation for franchise business growth.

That鈥檚 why franchised businesses must be protected. On the national level, the entire franchise model is at risk from a new joint employer standard put forward by the National Labor Relations Board, which is set to take effect at the end of the month. As Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said when urging to overturn the new rule, 鈥淭he proposal would expand and change the joint employer standard in a way that makes participating in the franchise model more difficult and more expensive. If enacted, it could lead to fewer small businesses and hurt job growth in Arizona and throughout the country.鈥�

Once people open their eyes to franchising, they鈥檒l see franchises everywhere 鈥� providing key products and services, employing their neighbors, and sponsoring the kids鈥� sports teams. The franchise model is a core reason that America is Open for Opportunity, and we鈥檙e sure that you, too, will support policies that help keep it that way.

Danny Seiden is president & CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce and Industry; Matt Haller is president & CEO of the International Franchise Association.

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This column by Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry President and CEO first

In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis 鈥� a disaster that wreaked havoc disproportionately on Arizona households and businesses 鈥� state leaders established the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) with the goal of recharging and diversifying our economy to better withstand future downturns.

The ACA, which was created by then-Republican Gov. Jan Brewer along with a conservative supermajority in the state Legislature, represented a public-private partnership, featuring input from some of the brightest minds in the private sector.

What Governor Brewer started was continued by her successor, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, and by any measure, the ACA has been a huge success.

Despite this success, inexplicably, legislation has been introduced to actually dismantle this agency and its programs with no plan for what comes next.

I can鈥檛 think of anything more damaging to Arizona鈥檚 future, our businesses and our workers.

Since 2011, the ACA has successfully landed more than 1,200 competitive projects.

These expansions have led to a projected 272,803 new jobs with more than $115 billion invested in local communities.

Much to the credit of the ACA, Arizona has risen from the depths of the Great Recession to become an advanced manufacturing powerhouse, with even more opportunity ahead.

Last year, we attracted more foreign investment than any state, we鈥檙e No. 1 for new jobs in the all-important semiconductor industry, and we boast one of the fastest employment growth rates in the country.

These jobs have led to an explosion of economic opportunity, especially for those on the bottom of the income ladder. Nearly 300,000 Arizonans have left poverty since 2011, lending proof to President Reagan鈥檚 mantra: 鈥渢he best social program is a job.鈥�

Getting rid of the ACA would halt our momentum and set us back more than a decade. It would put a massive 鈥淐LOSED FOR BUSINESS鈥� sign on our great state.

In fact, the effort to kill the ACA should be called 鈥淭he Texas and California Jobs Act.鈥� These are our top competitors.

Right now, we鈥檙e beating them, and punching above our weight. While these and other states write checks to win jobs, here, we focus on free market principles and demonstrating that Arizona offers the greatest value long-term.

Without the ACA, state revenue will take a major hit. Arizona鈥檚 experience shows the best remedy for a budget deficit is a growing economy, with revenues rising 52% since 2015 (even with tax cuts) 鈥� an especially important fact given our current shortfall.

Closing the ACA would be especially harmful to small business owners. That鈥檚 because the ACA is the state鈥檚 primary tool to help small businesses, offering everything from classes that teach digital skills to programs that support startups and local manufacturers.

Eliminating the ACA would cripple rural communities the most. As the state鈥檚 only statewide economic development agency, the ACA gives rural communities a voice and seat at the table when companies are considering expanding in Arizona.

These communities will be left to fend for themselves, cutting off access to new jobs and investment and greatly diminishing their long-term prospects.

These devastating consequences just barely scratch the service of the pain Arizonans will experience if we shutter the Arizona Commerce Authority. Beyond thousands of lost jobs and billions in forgone investment:

• workforce development programs will end, closing off pathways for Arizonans to gain new career skills;
• investments in broadband will stop, harming the rural communities most in need of this digital infrastructure;
• statewide efforts to grow key industries like semiconductors will be stymied;
• and Arizona-based businesses will lose out on substantial new growth potential.

Last year, we released an analysis of 鈥渏ob-killing鈥� legislation 鈥� failed ideas that would result in the loss of more than 100,000 jobs if enacted.

The ludicrous idea to eliminate the ACA tops them all, and with the economy remaining a top concern for Arizonans, any lawmaker who actively votes to kill jobs will have to answer to that on Election Day.

Continuing the ACA and keeping our economic momentum going should be a slam dunk for lawmakers of both parties. Extending the ACA means more jobs, less poverty, fewer people dependent on government services, more workforce training pathways, and a brighter future for our kids and grandkids.

Our economy is one of the nation鈥檚 strongest, but that didn鈥檛 happen by accident. The Arizona Commerce Authority has been essential to the state鈥檚 job growth.

To close it would put all our gains at risk.

Danny Seiden is the president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry.

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