Greenville Chamber releases 2022 public policy agenda

The Greenville Chamber released its 2022 policy agenda on Friday, December 10th, focused on key policy changes.

The agenda, released in concert with the Upstate Chamber Coalition and the SC Metro Chamber Coalition, outlines the priorities of the Greenville business community for Greenville County and South Carolina.

According to Greenville Chamber President/CEO, Carlos Phillips, “Success in the year ahead will require bold leadership from both our elected officials and business community. We look forward to working with these key partners on the thoughtful, pragmatic, strategic policy solutions outlined in the 2022 Policy Guide to build prosperity across our region.”

The 2022 Agenda is focused on reforming our income tax rates, which are the highest in the Southeast, and enacting new lawsuit abuse reforms that are leaving small businesses dangerously exposed to debilitating lawsuits. The Chamber is also focusing on closing the state’s pension system to protect those currently in the system, as well as revising our state’s economic development incentives so we may better attract knowledge-based companies.

We’re calling on the General Assembly – and local governments – to wisely spend the federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to fund transformative infrastructure projects that will boost our state’s economy for the next generation.

There are a number of 2022 items that reflect unfinished business from the previous session, including Port of Charleston expansion, drug weights changes and hate crimes legislation, immigrant licensure and tax credits for employment of returning citizens. Businesses continue to face significant challenges in accessing talent and workforce and many of these policies are designed as solutions to these pressing issues.

The Chamber’s top local agenda items in 2022 include finishing key infrastructure projects and securing sustainable funding for future projects, modernizing zoning ordinances, ensuring the completion of the Downtown Conference Center, expanding Greenlink and addressing race-based disparities and barriers in our community.

The agenda was unveiled at the Chamber’s Annual Legislative Breakfast, the Chamber’s flagship legislative event. Nearly 200 local business and political leaders were in attendance. Former Congressmen Bob Inglis (R-SC) and Heath Shuler (D-NC) also led a discussion about business leaders’ role in political debate.

All members of the Upstate Chamber Coalition are afforded the opportunity to shape the agenda. A fall survey followed two dozen agenda-setting meetings with business industry groups, other Upstate chambers and business organizations, and the Chamber’s Business Advocacy committees.

To view the full 2022 Public Policy Agenda and Advocacy Guide, visit www.greenvillechamber.org/policyagenda.