Gallego touts local businesses in State of the District speech
Congressman also calls for education reform, transportation infrastructure improvements
U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego said Thursday that fostering local business is not only important to the economy but to the Arizona community, as well.
“What people are looking for right now is attachment, an attachment to something in their city,” Gallego said in his first State of the District speech in Phoenix. “When we look at what that means is that people form attachments to local businesses and local organizations.”`
Gallego, D-Ariz., spoke to about 70 local business leaders at the Vintage 45 event space in downtown Phoenix's warehouse district on how the district's state could affect them now and in the future. His speech was presented in partnership with Local First Arizona.
“Local First has always been a resource for me in terms of thinking about legislation and policy that actually enables our local businesses not only to survive, but to thrive,” Gallego said.
Education reform
Gallego, who represents Arizona's 7th Congressional District, informed leaders not just about issues affecting their businesses, but also about issues that could effect residents throughout the district and state. One such issue is education reform.
“We must ensure that a college degree is obtainable for every American that wants one,” Gallego said. “The skyrocketing price of higher education is holding our students and our country back.”
While in Congress Gallego has been a proponent of legislation that supports a path to a debt-free higher education. He said he believes the social and economic consequences caused by student loan debt are harmful to the nation’s future.
“Forty million Americans are currently burdened by student loans, with an average balance of $29,000,” Gallego said. “This debt is preventing young people from buying homes, starting families and launching new businesses.”
Public transportation
In addition to education, Gallego emphasized the importance of public transportation systems and the impacts they have on the city. He called it a national problem that many Phoenix residents and businesses struggle with daily.
“Businesses that promise on time delivery can no longer be hamstrung by congested roads and rail-systems,” Gallego said. “Our 21st century economy desperately needs a 21st transportation infrastructure.”
Gallego said he continues to address this need for new infrastructure in his work in Washington.
“I am proud to say I hope to secure more than $17 million in federal funding projects that will make Phoenix a better place to live and an easier place to get around,” Gallego said.
In addition to advocating for federal funding, Gallego said he is aware of the specific transportation needs of his home district. One of the areas he is invested in is the light rail extension.
“I am also a very strong supporter of the Phoenix to Scottsdale light rail extension that will link members of that community to employment centers and vital public services,” Gallego said.
Reactions
One of the entrepreneurs who attended the event, Ben Smith of Unexpected Art Gallery, said he was especially pleased with the level of knowledge Gallego had on the subject of issues faced by Phoenix businesses.
“I liked knowing that he has helped a lot of local businesses and that he has grown through that whole industry," Smith said. "It is very refreshing. Also for us, being Phoenix based, it helps knowing that there is someone who gets our local economy.”
Throughout Gallego’s update, he honed in on what local business leaders need to know about the federal government that could affect them on a local level.
“It is really important that the congressman demonstrated that he is aware of a variety of issues,” Local First Executive Director Kimber Lanning said. “There was a diverse array brought up here that can affect businesses, and he was able to bring us up to speed about what is happening.”
Source: Rilee Robinson, Special for The Republic | azcentral.com