The Industrial Commission of Arizona voted last week to adopt strengthened workplace heat safety guidelines for employers statewide, delivering an outcome the business community called a practical, Arizona-driven solution to a genuine challenge.

The commission’s action follows nearly a year of work by the Governor’s Workplace Heat Safety Task Force, which brought together business, labor, and occupational safety experts to develop guidance grounded in real-world conditions. The Arizona ˿����Ƶ of Commerce & Industry and the Arizona Manufacturers Council participated throughout that process, with Grace Appelbe representing both organizations.

Appearing before the commission, Appelbe urged members to support the task force recommendations, describing them as the product of genuine collaboration and the right fit for the state’s diverse economic landscape.

“The recommendations before you reflect a thoughtful, Arizona-specific approach grounded in real-world experience,” Appelbe told the commission. “They focus on practical measures — water, shade, rest, acclimatization, and training — while preserving the flexibility needed across different industries and job sites.”

The guidelines adopted by the commission build on the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s existing Heat Stress State Emphasis Program, launched in 2023. In the months ahead, the commission will expand employer training on heat risks, encourage the development of workplace heat safety plans, and collect data on the effectiveness of heat safety interventions across the state. Commissioners plan to revisit the recommendations in December.

For Arizona’s business community, the outcome reflects a broader principle that worker safety and economic sustainability are not in conflict — but that the path to both runs through collaboration rather than mandate.

“That balance is critical,” Appelbe said in her testimony. “In other states, more rigid, one-size-fits-all mandates have created compliance challenges without necessarily improving outcomes. Arizona has taken a better approach — one that prioritizes safety while recognizing operational realities.”

The commission’s chairman described the vote as a beginning rather than an endpoint, noting that guidelines carry the advantage of taking effect immediately, allowing employers to act now while the state continues gathering data to inform any future rulemaking.

Appelbe told the commission that the Arizona ˿����Ƶ and Manufacturers Council are prepared to be active partners in what comes next. “We stand ready to work with the Commission and its staff on the distribution and implementation of these employer guidelines to ensure Arizona’s workers are informed and protected,” she said.

The Arizona ˿����Ƶ and Manufacturers Council have been engaged in the heat safety conversation since the task force was convened by executive order in 2025. Appelbe said the business community’s consistent goal throughout has been to ensure that any guidance coming out of the process works in actual workplaces — across manufacturing floors, construction sites, agricultural operations, and the full range of industries that make up Arizona’s economy.

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As Arizona’s largest private employer, Banner Health is highlighting its outsized role not only in health care, but in the state’s broader economy.

In its newly released 2025 annual report, the Phoenix-based nonprofit health system said it invested $1.1 billion back into the communities it serves, supporting patient care, workforce development, research, and prevention efforts. The report also estimates Banner’s operations generate a $12 billion annual economic impact across Arizona.

The figures reinforce Banner’s standing as one of Arizona’s most consequential institutions for both public health and economic growth.

According to the report, Banner supports 140,000 jobs statewide, including 60,000 direct employees and another 80,000 indirect jobs tied to its operations and related economic activity.

For Arizona’s business community, those numbers underscore how health care systems increasingly serve as pillars of regional economic development, workforce stability, and long-term competitiveness.

“A strong health care system is foundational to a strong economy,” Arizona ˿����Ƶ of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden said. “Banner Health’s continued investment in Arizona’s workforce, communities, and long-term health outcomes demonstrates how essential institutions like this help make our state a place where businesses can grow, families can thrive, and talent wants to live and work.”

That broader economic perspective is reflected in Banner’s nonprofit model, which emphasizes reinvestment in patient care, technology, workforce development, and community-based services across Arizona.

“As a nonprofit health system, every dollar we earn is invested into our care, services, technology, talent and communities, not Wall Street shareholders,” Banner Health President and CEO Amy Perry said in the report’s .

That reinvestment model is especially visible in Banner’s workforce pipeline efforts, a critical issue as Arizona continues to grapple with population growth and a rising demand for health care professionals.

The annual report notes Banner trains more than 1,300 residents and fellows each year, supports 7,000 nursing students annually, and provides hands-on health care career experiences for more than 3,500 high school students through programs such as Camp Scrubs.

Those investments come as Arizona employers across sectors continue to emphasize the importance of talent development and workforce readiness.

Beyond its role as an employer, Banner also detailed major investments aimed at improving health outcomes in Arizona communities.

Among the report’s highlights, the system said it served 70,000 meals to low-income seniors through the Banner Olive Branch Senior Center and distributed more than 1 million pounds of food through its pantry operations.

Banner’s BIG Pink Bus mobile mammography program also screened nearly 1,000 women, with 18% receiving their first-ever screening, expanding access to preventive care in communities that may otherwise face barriers to early detection services.

The report also cites measurable gains in preventive care among Medicaid populations, including a 114% increase in colorectal cancer screenings and more than an 1,100% increase in blood pressure checks year over year.

For employers and policymakers alike, those gains carry implications that extend beyond the health sector.

A healthier workforce can translate into reduced absenteeism, improved productivity, and lower long-term health costs — all factors that influence Arizona’s economic competitiveness.

As the state continues to attract new residents, businesses, and investment, Banner’s report makes clear that health care infrastructure remains a central driver of Arizona’s economic momentum.

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Last week, the Arizona ˿����Ƶ of Commerce & Industry office was a hub of policy exchange as we hosted a delegation of lawmakers and business leaders from Missouri. The “Show Me State” representatives came west to see how our deliberate policy choices in areas like regulation, taxes, and emerging technologies have turned Arizona into a global leader in advanced manufacturing and semiconductors.

Arizona has much to teach other states about economic growth, and we are proud to showcase the work of our lawmakers and successive governors.

But during those conversations, one lesson ran in the other direction: Missouri is showing us a better way to help small businesses afford health care.

In Missouri, the state chamber of commerce , or MEWA. It’s model that allows small businesses to pool their risk and gain a level of buying power typically reserved for larger corporations. The result is greater rate stability, more plan choices, and lower costs. 

It’s not just Missouri that offers MEWAs. Nearly 30 other states have already implemented similar programs. Yet in Arizona, many small businesses and sole proprietors remain on the sidelines. , sponsored by Rep. David Livingston, is our opportunity to catch up.

HB 2693 expands the definition of entities that can operate these self-funded health plans to include statewide chambers of commerce and business leagues. By allowing small employers to join a larger pool, the bill helps stabilize premiums and expand access to quality coverage for the job creators who are the backbone of our economy.

Despite no group coming forward to oppose the bill publicly, some legislators have expressed criticisms, but they miss the mark.

First, HB 2693 is fully compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Opponents often confuse this state-level expansion with a 2018 federal rule that was struck down in court. This bill is different. It operates within the explicit authority granted to states under ERISA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, to regulate MEWAs. 

This bill also doesn’t weaken coverage protections. Arizona law continues to require coverage for preexisting conditions, maternity care, mental health coverage, and prescription drugs. In practice, large group plans—which MEWAs emulate—often provide more comprehensive benefits than what many smaller employers can access today, including superior dental and vision coverage. 

This bill creates affordability through scale. By pooling together, small employers create a larger risk pool that puts natural downward pressure on costs and reduces volatility. By purchasing as a coalition, small businesses gain the leverage to negotiate for the high-quality, robust coverage usually only available to the state’s largest employers. This isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about using collective strength to make comprehensive care more attainable. 

The bill also recognizes the modern workforce by including sole proprietors and working owners. If an individual works at least 20 hours a week or earns enough to cover their premiums, they deserve access to the same stable, high-quality coverage as a corporate executive.

For years, Arizona has led by embracing innovation and market-based solutions. It’s time we apply that same mindset to health care. By passing HB 2693, we are giving Arizona’s small businesses another tool to grow, compete, and thrive.

Danny Seiden is the president and CEO of the Arizona ˿����Ƶ of Commerce & Industry.

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Legislation aimed at expanding affordable health coverage options for Arizona’s small businesses is moving forward at the Capitol.

House Bill 2693, sponsored by Rep. David Livingston (R-Peoria), passed the House Commerce Committee on January 27 with support from the Arizona ˿����Ƶ of Commerce & Industry and the Arizona Small Business Association.

HB 2693 expands access to Mutual Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs), a long-standing, regulated option under Arizona law that allows employers to pool together to offer health benefits.

Under current statute, participation in MEWAs is limited. The bill broadens eligibility so that more small employers can participate through a statewide chamber of commerce or business association, providing greater flexibility and purchasing power without adding new regulatory requirements.

Supporters say the bill addresses a persistent challenge facing small businesses: higher healthcare costs and fewer coverage options compared to large employers.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Arizona’s economy, but they often face a healthcare market that wasn’t designed with them in mind,” said Courtney Coolidge, executive vice president of the Arizona ˿����Ƶ of Commerce & Industry. “HB 2693 is a practical, employer-led solution that helps level the playing field by expanding access to affordable, flexible health coverage options while preserving strong regulatory oversight.”

Livingston, the bill sponsor, agreed, testifying in the committee hearing that the bill allows small businesses “to come together in an association and buy health insurance like a big employer.” Bigger numbers in an insurance pool, he said, lead to lower overall costs for businesses.

State Rep. Jeff Weninger (R-Chandler) an independent restaurateur who chairs the Commerce Committee, said he’s experienced the challenges of trying to offer employee health coverage.

“As a small business owner, restaurants especially, the health care costs go up every year, and more independent restaurants, who still may have 80-100 employees, don’t have the buying power of these large corporations,” he said.

How the proposal works

MEWAs allow multiple employers to band together to spread risk across a broader group, which can help stabilize costs and lower premiums. HB 2693 clarifies and expands state law to allow a statewide chamber of commerce or statewide business league to sponsor a MEWA, enabling employers from different industries to participate voluntarily while retaining control over whether and how they offer coverage to their employees.

This market-based approach to health care coverage builds on models already permitted in many other states. By increasing the size and diversity of the risk pool, proponents argue the bill can deliver greater choice, improved stability, and cost savings for small employers and their workers.

Next steps

With approval from the House Commerce Committee, HB 2693 must next clear the House Rules Committee and be reviewed by each party caucus before advancing to a vote of the full House. If approved, the measure would represent a significant policy change aimed at improving healthcare affordability and competitiveness for Arizona’s small-business community.

Business groups backing the legislation say they will continue working with lawmakers in both parties as the bill moves through the legislative process.

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Arizona employers are taking a proactive, collaborative approach to workplace heat safety��that recognizes��the realities of diverse industries and job sites across the state.��

Gov. Katie Hobbs on December 31 announced that the Workplace Heat Safety Task Force had finalized and submitted its recommendations to the Industrial Commission of Arizona, delivering a set of Heat Guidelines for Employers grounded in real-world best practices and Arizona-specific conditions . 

The task force, which was convened by a 2025 executive order, brought together leaders from business, labor, and industry, along with occupational safety and health experts, to develop commonsense guidance for employers.  

The Arizona ˿����Ƶ of Commerce & Industry and the Arizona Manufacturers Council participated in the process to ensure that employer perspectives were front and center throughout the discussions. 

The finalized recommendations focus on proven strategies to prevent heat-related illness, including access to water, shade, and rest; employee acclimatization; and heat safety training. Importantly for Arizona employers, the guidelines also clarify definitions, outline best practices for employer Heat Illness Prevention Plans, and include specific exemptions for emergency operations, recognizing that not all job sites or industries face the same conditions. 

For the Arizona ˿����Ƶ and the Arizona Manufacturers Council, participation in the task force was about ensuring that worker safety and economic sustainability go hand in hand. 

“This task force brought together employers, workers, and subject-matter experts from across Arizona to focus on what actually works in real workplaces,” said Grace Appelbe, executive director of the Arizona Manufacturers Council and director of government affairs at the Arizona ˿����Ƶ of Commerce & Industry. “The recommendations reflect commonsense best practices many employers already use and provide clear, Arizona-specific guidance that prioritizes worker safety while recognizing the diversity of industries and job sites across our state.” 

That emphasis on flexibility was a consistent theme throughout task force discussions, particularly for sectors like manufacturing, construction, utilities, and small business, where work environments, schedules, and operational demands can vary significantly. 

Next steps, ongoing implementation 

Following the task force’s work, the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) will take additional steps to implement the governor’s executive order, including publishing annual data on heat-related claims, complaints, and citations, and providing downloadable template heat plans to help employers put the guidance into practice. 

The ADOSH Advisory Committee is scheduled to review the recommendations at a public meeting on February 4 before they advance to the Industrial Commission for final consideration later this spring.  

Appelbe said that for Arizona’s business community, the Workplace Heat Safety Task Force demonstrates the value of collaboration over mandates.  

“By bringing employers, workers, and regulators to the same table, the state has produced guidance that improves safety outcomes without undermining productivity or imposing rigid, one-size-fits-all rules,” she said. 

Appelbe said the Arizona ˿����Ƶ and the Arizona Manufacturers Council will continue to engage with state agencies and stakeholders as these recommendations move forward, ensuring that Arizona remains both a safe place to work and a competitive place to do business. 

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In 2015, Banner Health and the University of Arizona launched a strategic partnership with a bold vision: to reshape healthcare delivery, expand academic medicine, and build a robust pipeline of medical professionals for Arizona. Ten years later, the results point to a significant and measurable impact.

According to a new study by Rounds Consulting Group, the partnership has generated over $59 billion in total economic impact for the state. It has also created and sustained 35,500 annual operating jobs and 12,600 construction jobs, delivering lasting benefits to Arizona’s workforce and infrastructure.

Over the past decade, the partnership has been positioned as a national model for how academic institutions and health systems can align to strengthen healthcare delivery and workforce development.

“This partnership is proof that when Arizona’s institutions work together, we can make a lasting impact for our state and its people,” said Doug Goodyear, chair, Arizona Board of Regents. “The work Banner and the U of A have done over the past decade stands as a model for how public and private institutions can work together to address critical needs and deliver measurable results for the communities they serve.” 

Capital investments, clinical expansion

A cornerstone of the Banner–U of A collaboration has been $2.4 billion in capital investments, including major upgrades to aging facilities and the development of cutting-edge educational and clinical infrastructure. Of this total, $2 billion was contributed by Banner Health and $400 million by the University of Arizona, funding projects that modernize care delivery and expand access across the state.

These investments created not only thousands of jobs in construction, engineering, and procurement but also an estimated $2.8 billion in economic output tied to equipment, materials, and services.

The partnership has also played a pivotal role in expanding healthcare access, with 22.6 million patient engagements reported over the last decade. Today, Banner–University Medicine supports approximately 33,000 direct and indirect jobs, positioning Banner Health as the largest private employer in Arizona.

“We are very proud of the impact our partnership with Banner Health has had over the past 10 years,” said U of A President Suresh Garimella. “Academic medicine gives students hands-on experience at the cutting edge of health care, advances fundamental discovery and clinical research, and enables the best quality clinical care. Together, we’re equipping future health leaders with the skills and adaptability they’ll need to thrive in a rapidly evolving field and meeting the needs of patients in Arizona and beyond.”

A homegrown talent pipeline

At the core of the Banner–U of A alliance is a shared commitment to workforce development. Since 2015, more than 1,900 physicians and healthcare professionals have graduated from the U of A Colleges of Medicine in Tucson and Phoenix. As of 2024, an estimated 1,100 of these graduates are practicing in Arizona, reinforcing the state’s healthcare system from within.

Medical school enrollment has surged nearly 40% since the partnership began, while the number of residency and fellowship positions has grown from 990 to over 1,200. Thousands of nursing and pharmacy students also receive clinical training at Banner facilities annually, directly addressing critical workforce shortages.

Arizona State’s new medical school joins the field

As the University of Arizona and Banner Health celebrate a decade of measurable success, Arizona’s academic medicine landscape is preparing for a major new player.

Arizona State University’s School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering has officially received preliminary accreditation and will welcome its first class in 2026.

The school recently secured a nine-figure naming gift from Dr. John Shufeldt, an Arizona-based physician and healthcare entrepreneur. His donation will fund scholarships, faculty hiring, and state-of-the-art facilities to help establish the school as a national leader in technologically integrated medical training.

The new medical school will work closely with HonorHealth as its primary clinical partner.

This initiative, alongside the decade-long success of the Banner–University of Arizona alliance, positions Arizona as a rising hub for academic medicine and medical workforce innovation.

AZ Healthy Tomorrow: A statewide vision for Arizona’s healthy future

Complementing these institutional efforts is , ABOR’s initiative focused on building the state’s health care workforce and improving health outcomes and access for all Arizonans. It is estimated that  lack adequate access to primary care, and more than  hospitals faces severe staffing shortages.

The multi-faceted health care initiative led by ABOR includes major growth and new investment by each of the state’s public universities, significant partnerships with the private sector and the support from the state government. By aligning with academic medicine and health systems, AZ Healthy Tomorrow seeks to ensure that the expansion of medical, nursing and allied health programs at Arizona’s public universities translates into healthier communities.

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Arizona State University made two significant announcements on Wednesday: The university’s new medical school has received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), and it secured a nine-figure naming gift from Arizona physician and entrepreneur Dr. John Shufeldt.

The preliminary accreditation clears the way for ASU to recruit its inaugural class of students for fall 2026 and begins in earnest its efforts to transform health education and address Arizona’s growing need for medical professionals.

The naming gift is the second-largest in the university’s history. The school will be named the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering.

“While accreditation was expected, it’s a milestone achieved through the tireless work of our team,” ASU President Michael Crow said. “Dr. John Shufeldt embodies the kind of innovator we aim to produce in our graduates — a physician, entrepreneur and forward-thinking leader contributing his time, talent and resources to help advance the future of health care.”

Shufeldt, an emergency medicine physician who founded NextCare in 1993 and grew it from a single clinic into a 60-location network across six states, said the new school will prepare physicians who can bridge the worlds of medicine, business, and technology.

“For decades I’ve worked at the intersection of business, law and medicine,” Shufeldt said. “What we need are physicians who can innovate and lead with compassion. That’s exactly what this school will produce.”

Arizona ˿����Ƶ of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden applauded the announcements, calling them “a win for Arizona’s economy and for the future of health care in our state.”

“ASU’s medical school represents exactly the kind of future-focused innovation that keeps Arizona competitive,” Seiden said. “By combining medicine, engineering, and entrepreneurship, and by attracting world-class talent like Dr. Shufeldt, ASU is strengthening the state’s health workforce and ensuring Arizona remains a leader in cutting-edge medical education and research. These announcements are game-changers for Arizona’s health-care workforce and innovation ecosystem.”

Students at the Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering will earn two degrees in four years — a Doctor of Medicine and a Master of Science in Medical Engineering — through a curriculum that integrates engineering, data science, and the humanities. Its primary clinical affiliate will be HonorHealth, providing students hands-on experience in patient care and clinical innovation.

The school’s founding dean, Dr. Holly Lisanby, called the gift “transformative,” noting that students will be “dually trained from day one in medical and engineering disciplines, learning alongside experts from clinical, engineering, and entrepreneurial fields.” The new medical school is part of ASU Health, a system that includes the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, the College of Health Solutions, the new School of Technology for Public Health, and the ASU Health Observatory.

Cover image courtesy , social media

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For six decades, the Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health has been a beacon of innovation and healing for burn survivors across Arizona and the Southwest.

What began in 1965 as a five-bed unit at the former Maricopa County General Hospital has grown into one of the busiest and most advanced burn centers in the United States, treating thousands of patients each year.

“The heart of our mission has always been outstanding patient care,” said Dr. Kevin Foster, director of the burn center. “The patient comes first, and a close second is care of the families because a burn injury is not just an injury to a person, it’s an injury to a family and sometimes even to a community.”

Nationally recognized excellence

Now a 50-bed facility, the Halle Arizona Burn Center is the only facility in the state verified as both an adult and pediatric burn center by the American Burn Association, a distinction it has maintained since 2000.

In 2024, the burn center expanded dramatically, nearly tripling its size when it moved into the entire fourth floor of the new Valleywise Health Medical Center. The modern facility is designed around a “new paradigm of care,” Dr. Foster said, one that focuses not only on survival but on restoring patients’ quality of life.

Foster said that 50 to 60 years ago, only half of people with burns over 30% of their body survived their injuries, but today that survival rate is 98%.

“The discussion today isn’t about keeping people alive, it’s about restoring burn survivors’ quality of life,” he said. “How do they deal with their scars and their disabilities and psychological trauma? How do they reintegrate back into work and school communities and learn to be people again?

A model for comprehensive care

Today, the Halle Arizona Burn Center treats roughly 1,500 inpatients and 12,000 outpatients annually, serving as the primary burn resource for Arizona and much of the Southwest. Its integrated team includes surgeons, nurses, dietitians, therapists, pharmacists, social workers, and mental health care providers all focused on the long-term recovery and reintegration of burn survivors.

“We really concentrate on what patients need in the outpatient arena to help them become the people they want to be again,” Foster said.

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With Congress missing the midnight deadline to fund the federal government, leaders from across the business community are warning of the significant economic consequences a shutdown would have on employers, workers, and families. From delayed contracts to shuttered national parks, industry groups say the disruption would ripple through Arizona’s economy and beyond.

Arizona ˿����Ƶ of Commerce & Industry: “Arizona’s economy thrives on stability”

The Arizona ˿����Ƶ of Commerce & Industry is urging swift congressional action to pass a continuing resolution and keep the government open.

“Arizona’s economy thrives on stability,” said ˿����Ƶ President and CEO Danny Seiden. “Prolonged debates that put government operations at risk create ripple effects of uncertainty for employers, workers, and investors alike. The effects of that uncertainty would extend across our economy, delaying critical government contracts and ultimately threatening both Arizona’s industries and the nation’s economic security. We urge Congress to act swiftly to avoid self-inflicted setbacks that weaken America’s competitiveness at home and abroad.”

Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association: National parks at risk

The Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association warned that a shutdown would deal a devastating blow to Arizona’s tourism economy, particularly if it forced the closure of national parks such as the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro National Park.

“Families, student groups, and international travelers plan their trips around access to our national parks,” said AzLTA President and CEO Kim Grace Sabow. “If visitors are turned away, the economic ripple effects will extend far beyond park boundaries, hurting hotels, restaurants, attractions, and local businesses. Arizona thrives because of tourism, and keeping our parks open is essential to safeguarding the jobs and economic vitality that so many Arizonans depend on.”

Tourism is one of Arizona’s largest industries, supporting nearly 300,000 jobs and generating more than $33 billion annually. The Grand Canyon alone drew nearly 5 million visitors in 2024, supporting more than 8,700 jobs and generating over $1 billion in positive economic activity.

National Association of Manufacturers: Certainty needed for growth

In Washington, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) emphasized the critical role a functioning government plays in supporting industrial growth.

“A functioning government is essential for a strong manufacturing economy,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “Manufacturers need certainty, not disruption. Our leaders in Washington must come together and keep the government open, so it continues working for the American people. From supply chains and permitting to regulatory certainty, product approvals and facility inspections, manufacturers rely on the government to do its job and provide the stability that drives growth.”

U.S. ˿����Ƶ of Commerce: “Shutdowns are harmful to the economy”

The U.S. ˿����Ƶ of Commerce also issued a warning, noting that shutdowns affect more than just government employees.

“Government shutdowns are harmful to the economy, our national security, and the American people, often in ways that are not immediately obvious,” said Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the U.S. ˿����Ƶ. “From passports and permits to clinical trials and air travel, a well-functioning economy requires a functioning government. The ˿����Ƶ calls on Congress and the Administration to work together to pass legislation to avert a federal government shutdown.”

Photo courtesy Flickr user reivax, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

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A recent headline in Politico asks, “” It’s a good question. The article charts the march of labor union Unite Here Local 11 through the city’s policymaking apparatus and the bruising fights the union has picked with the city’s job creators, especially those in the hospitality industry.

Meanwhile, some members of the city council express occasional concern about the damage that’s been done to the city’s reputation and whether it will be able to host a Super Bowl, World Cup, and Summer Olympic Games in successive years, but not enough, apparently, to do anything to broker a lasting truce between the union and the private businesses that are now looking for more welcoming environments.

Instead of disputes being settled at the negotiating table with the help of elected officials, the voting booth is increasingly where Big Labor and job creators square off.

We’re fortunate that in Arizona we don’t have city governments that are as openly hostile to job creation and a competitive business environment as L.A.

Not yet, anyway. We can’t get too comfortable.

That’s because Unite Here Local 11’s territory not only includes Southern California, but Arizona, too. The union is growing its presence here, organizing job-killing ballot measures, targeting specific businesses, throwing up roadblocks to development, and backing candidates for city council positions.

In Glendale, the union was the driving force behind Proposition 499 in 2024, a measure that would have burdened the city’s hospitality sector and taxpayers with costly new mandates. A year later, the union was back at it again, organizing Propositions 401 and 402, which attempted to block the development of a critical phase of what is slated to be the state’s largest resort, employing more than 2,000 Arizonans. In each case, the business community rallied to stop the union.

The pattern has been clear: if you’re a business that dares to succeed, you’re a target. Take Scottsdale, where Unite Here operatives helped circulate the petitions aimed at freezing the new Axon corporate headquarters development, an investment promising thousands of high-paying jobs. Stopping job creators in their tracks seems to be part of the union’s playbook. Like it did in Glendale, the business community came together to stand up for Scottsdale jobs. So did a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs.

The union isn’t content to restrict its influence to ballot measures and development fights. Unite Here is increasingly active in Arizona municipal politics, lining up behind city council candidates in , , and who share their agenda. Their candidates may speak in platitudes about fairness and equity, but what they really offer is a city government more hostile to employers, less friendly to entrepreneurs, and far more willing to use public policy as a cudgel against job creation.

We’re also seeing a similar playbook from other California-based unions. The Service Employees International Union a ballot initiative to cap the salaries of Arizona hospital executives, regardless of the size or complexity of the health system they lead, never mind that the proposal tramples any semblance of the right to contract.

Supporters may say the measure is about fairness, but it would just make it harder to recruit and retain the kind of medical leadership our state needs to ensure access to lifesaving care. It’s obvious that this isn’t about strengthening health care in Arizona; it’s about importing California’s labor fights to our ballot.

Arizona can’t afford to import Los Angeles-style dysfunction. We’ve built a reputation as a state where job creators are welcomed, where investment is encouraged, and where opportunity is still available for those willing to work hard and take risks. That reputation is one of our greatest competitive advantages, but it won’t endure if we ignore the encroachment of those who would rather grind our economy to a halt in service of their narrow political agenda.

Arizona’s job creators are resilient, but they need policymakers at all levels of government to stand firm and defend our pro-jobs environment, and call out efforts, no matter how cleverly disguised, that would weaken it.

Danny Seiden is the president and CEO of the Arizona ˿����Ƶ of Commerce & Industry.

 
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