National issues at the USHCC Convention

​The Chairwoman of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber Board of Directors, Cecilia Mata and I recently returned from the United States Hispanic Chamber Legislative Summit in Washington DC. Cecilia is the owner of a defense contracting and unmanned aerial systems business called AllSource Global Management. Her company has recently been announced as the 2016 Minority Owned Business for the State of Arizona.
During the Legislative Summit, we met with our federal elected officials and attended meetings related to important policy issues impacting our Arizona businesses. With the 2016 Presidential election quickly approaching it is important now, more than ever, that the small and minority business voice be heard at the U.S Capitol. Thank you to Congressman Schweikert, Gosar, Franks and Congresswoman Sinema as well as the Chiefs of Staff for Congressman Franks, Gallego and Senator Flake for meeting with us during our trip.
Our Tucson Hispanic Chamber represents close to 1800 member businesses with our strategic partnership with the most influential business organization in our state, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Our chamber advocates and provides programs that helps to grow our members’ businesses in our bilingual and bicultural region. We work closely with elected leaders and discuss policies outlined in our THCC Legislative Principles that are focused on improving Arizona’s business climate and assisting our member businesses in growing and prospering.
The United States Hispanic Chamber (USHCC) revealed their 2016 Policy Platform at the recent Legislative Summit. The USHCC represents more than 200 local chambers and the interests of 4.1 million Hispanic owned businesses, that together contribute over $661 billion to the American economy every year.  Despite the economic downturn, in the past five years, Hispanic-owned businesses have enjoyed a growth rate of 44%, while the purchasing power of U.S Hispanics is $1 trillion and growing. Their Legislative priorities are built with an awareness that Latinos are 1.5 times more likely to become entrepreneurs over any other ethnic group and focus on five key points:

• Access to Capital

Hispanic owned business grew an astounding 57% since 2007. Innovative public and private partnerships are vital to providing the funding that Hispanic businesses need for growth. Short term loans, community banks and alternative financial service providers are important financial resources. Expanding credit and capital options are an important aspect in creating jobs.

• International Trade and Commerce

Too often trade barriers, such as high taxes, overly complex trade paperwork and customs “red tape” lock small businesses out of important foreign markets and export opportunities. Support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

• Education and Workforce Development

Support for investment in job training and work readiness programs to better prepare our young people for their future entry in the workforce. One in four children in the U.S today is Hispanic. By 2020, 1 in 5 workers in the U.S labor force will be Hispanic.

• Immigration

Immigration policy is a major component of U.S economic growth. Immigrants are twice as likely as the native born populations to start a business.

• Energy

Support affordable energy for businesses and families, while creating jobs and remaining conscious of the environment.
Our Tucson Hispanic Chamber will continue our work at the national, state and local level to address issues impacting our member businesses based upon our Legislative Principles and the USHCC Policy Platform. Learn more at www.ushcc.com. Join our chamber and learn more at www.tucsonhispanicchamber.org.