Quality Jobs Through Renewable Energy Bill – SB1403

Senate commerce committee passes Quality Jobs bill SB1403 heads to full Senate for vote. The Senate Committee on Commerce voted in favor of the Quality Jobs Through Renewable Energy bill Tuesday.

During the nearly three-hour hearing, committee members discussed in detail SB1403, which is designed to stimulate new investment in solar and renewable manufacturing and headquarter operations. They asked questions, challenged aspects and sought clarification, ultimately sending the bill to the full Senate on a 5-2 vote.

“We’re pleased the committee passed this bill,” said Barry Broome, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, which designed the program that influenced the bill. “It’s the right thing for Arizona, and we hope the full Senate supports it as well.”

Broome walked senators through the finer points of the bill. He told the committee SB1403 was needed to give Arizona a competitive edge over other mountain West states. He pointed to the missed opportunities to capture the solar and renewable industry and made clear the state’s diminishing chance to become a major player in the solar industry.

Others also testified on behalf of the bill, including Arizona Cardinals President and GPEC Chairman Michael Bidwill, NanoVoltaix CEO Henke de Waard, Vice President of Stirling Energy Systems Sean Gallagher and Chandler Economic Development Specialist Christine Mackay. Each pointed to the need to diversify the economy, capture new industry and create high-paying jobs.

For cities across Arizona, SB1403 would serve as an important economic development tool for them to grow their economies, said Bidwill, who opened discussion on the bill. The bill would offer a corporate income tax credit and real and personal property tax reduction to eligible businesses.

“We’ve got have these tools in our tool box for our cities and counties to land these high paying jobs,” Bidwill told committee members. “SB1403 will give us an opportunity to compete.”

Sen. Leff, who introduced the bill and also chairs the commerce committee, said Arizona has a “golden opportunity” to attract headquarters and manufacturing companies.

“We should be the solar capital of the country,” she said.

For more information about Quality Jobs Through Renewable Energy, visit www.gpec.org.

About the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)
A true public/private partnership, GPEC is the regional economic development organization for Greater Phoenix. Working with its 18 member communities, Maricopa County and more than 140 private investors, GPEC attracts quality businesses to this dynamic region. By creating a high-performance economy through capital investments and jobs, Greater Phoenix companies enjoy a business climate where they can compete and thrive in today’s global economy. Since 1989, GPEC has worked to achieve an economically sound and sustainable region. For more information, visit www.gpec.org.

Source: GPEC

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