Robert Roche: “New Mexico is Open for Business”
The state of New Mexico is open for business! The country’s 47th state has always offered affordable land, a talented workforce, a competitive cost of living, reasonable tax rates, and rich renewable energy resources – that’s why I founded businesses here. However, the new Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, is investing in infrastructure, housing, and workforce…
An Update on the “Trump Slump” in Tourism
In June of last year, we issued our first report on the “Trump Slump” in international tourism, outlining the economic cost of President Trump’s Muslim travel ban, anti-immigrant policies, visa rollbacks, and harmful rhetoric about Mexicans, Muslims, and “shithole countries.” Over the 16 months that followed, the Trump Slump appears to be getting worse. International…
Want to fix Illinois’s economy? Do more to support working women.
If you care about the economy, start with the math. Women are America’s largest potential driver of economic growth. By simply helping women match men’s labor force participation, we could grow our economy by $1 trillion. After decades of gains, women’s progress in the workplace has stalled. They remain overrepresented in low-paying jobs, underrepresented in…
The Questions Small Business Owners Ask Presidential Candidates
Click here to read our Solutions 2020 progress report. Seven of the women and men running for president recently sat for briefings with Business Forward. Another four candidates are scheduled. Each briefing starts with remarks from the candidate, but the bulk of time is spent on Q&A. To date, our business leaders have asked hundreds of questions.…
Recap: Solutions 2020 briefing with Congressman Seth Moulton
Business Forward conducted a Solutions 2020 briefing with Congressman Seth Moulton on Friday, June 14, 2019. This is our seventh briefing in the Solutions 2020 series. Congressman Seth Moulton focused on the future of trade, and the importance of higher education and building infrastructure. Business leaders shared their comments, suggestions, and questions on issues ranging…
Any questions on the gender gap? For this week’s debate, I certainly hope so.
To the journalists moderating this week’s Democratic debate, I have a recommendation: Make your first question about closing the gender gap. Make your last question about closing the gender gap. And ask a lot of questions in between about closing the gender gap. If you care about the economy, it helps to start with the math.…
Recap: Solutions 2020 briefing with Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Business Forward conducted a Solutions 2020 briefing with Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend, Indiana on Monday, May 20, 2019. This is our sixth briefing in the Solutions 2020 series. Mayor Buttigieg focused on security, the future of trade and climate change, the importance of income tax, and technology. Business leaders shared their comments, suggestions,…
Recap: Solutions 2020 briefing with Tom Steyer
On March 21, 2019, Business Forward members briefed noted investor, philanthropist, and activist, Tom Steyer. This is our fourth briefing in the Solutions 2020 series. Tom Steyer focused on the necessity of the rule of law; how America should deal with international trade; and the need for green energy innovation. Business leaders shared their comments,…
Recap: Solutions 2020 Briefing with Congressman John Delaney
Business Forward launched Solutions 2020: Real World Recommendations for the New Congress and Next President by briefing with Congressman John Delaney, the first Democratic candidate to announce his campaign for president. Congressman Delaney, a business entrepreneur who started two highly successful businesses before running for Congress, focused on the over-concentration of economic opportunity in the U.S. He…
Business Leaders Call for an Independent Judiciary
Business Forward today released a new report, Business Leaders on an Independent Judiciary. It features business leaders across the country calling for an independent judiciary in response to attack by President Trump and some in Congress. Business leaders can abide politicians questioning a judge’s reasoning, but they draw the line at questioning that judge’s authority or…