Attraction & Retention of Top Business
Our ability to build a thriving economy depends on our ability to attract and retain top business.
Arizona cannot afford to have discriminatory barriers in place to attracting the very best.
The corporate world embraces diversity and inclusion – because they know it works. Ninety-three percent of Fortune 500 companies include “sexual orientation” in their non-discrimination policies, and seventy-five percent include “gender identity.”
These leading businesses are in high demand because they bring jobs, tax revenue, and a multiplier effect that have an invaluable impact. They know inclusion is good for business.
Unfortunately, Arizona has a non-discrimination statute that is not fully inclusive, putting us out of alignment with big business and top talent.
While our non-discrimination statute protects individuals based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and ancestry it does not protect people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.
Over the next decade, there’s an opportunity for fast-paced economic growth in our state. But we need to remove any barriers to success to give ourselves the best chance to compete for these businesses on a national level.