http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/knau/local-knau-910155.mp3
Phoenix, AZ – Right now the state commerce department is in charge of economic
development. But that agency also handles a host of other issues,
ranging from affordable housing programs and energy rebates to
reporting on the latest jobless numbers. The idea is to farm out
those chores to other agencies and then turn over what's left to
an authority run by a 30-member board mainly from the private
sector but chaired by the governor. Brewer named former Phoenix
Suns owner Jerry Colangelo as vice chair to handle day-to-day
business. He said the change was long overdue.
(We found ourselves slipping in terms of the competitive playing
field of going after businesses around the world, nationally and
domestically.)
Colangelo said the authority provides a necessary link between
the legislature, whose top leaders will serve as non-voting
members, and the business community. He said one part of that
link will be the authority recommending to lawmakers changes in
tax policy designed to make Arizona more business friendly.
(It's now up to us to come up with the initiatives that earn the
support, the financial support to make things happen. And we
believe that collectively we can make something happen.)
Brewer gave the agency $10 million of federal stimulus funds to
get its work started. For Arizona Public Radio this is Howard
Fischer.