Trouble in the business/conservative coalition?

by David Safier

Now this is interesting and, I hope, points to a trend where business leaders begin to realize that crazy-eyed right wing ideologues aren't a profit maker's best friend.

The Mesa Chamber of Commerce left Russell Pearce off its endorsement list.

"There were some things that Russell said that the committee felt would frankly not put us in a competitive position" for job growth, Deaton said.

That applies particularly, he said, to high-wage employers that may require incentives to relocate to Arizona instead of other states.

Deaton said the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance rated Pearce second-lowest of all incumbent state senators for a business-friendly attitude. Only retiring Sen. Chuck Gray, R-Mesa, was worse, Deaton said.

"The other thing," Deaton said, "was there was concern about (Senate Bill) 1070 and its impact on business recruitment. Even though that wasn't an issue that kept them from the endorsement, it was certainly part of the discussion."

Let's see if I have this straight.

People who say cutting taxes is the best and only way to attract businesses may not be helping attract high-wage employers?

SB1070 may not be a business friendly bill?

Do tell!

It's a good first step. Now, chambers of commerce, why don't you take a peek at some of the other Republicans who voted to cripple the state by eviscerating education and other services, then voted for SB1070, putting an anti-business bow on their starve-the-state package?