On September 3, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce hosted the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance (EVCCA) 2026 Ballot Issues Forum at the Rio Salado College Conference Center. With Arizona entering an election year featuring a gubernatorial race and several other contests, the forum provided an opportunity for East Valley businesses to learn more about key ballot initiatives and their potential impact on the business community.
Advocacy experts discussed some of the most talked-about initiatives on the 2026 ballot, providing context on what each measure would do and how, if passed, it could affect businesses.
The forum covered:
Prop 141 – Vehicle Mileage: Prohibits the state and local governments from imposing a tax or fee based on the number of miles a person travels in a motor vehicle.
Prop 142 – Preferential Treatment & Discrimination: Addresses requirements related to preferential treatment or discrimination based on race or ethnicity by public entities, including cities, universities and school districts.
Prop 316 – Food; Municipal Tax Exemption: Limits local governments’ ability to impose certain taxes or fees on food and beverages intended for home consumption.
Prop 320 – Instructional Expenses: Requires school districts with at least 7,500 students to spend at least 60% of operational spending on direct instructional expenses.
The EVCCA is a coalition of East Valley chambers representing the interests and needs of businesses throughout the region. Through its legislative advocacy and educational efforts, the alliance works to keep business owners informed about issues that could affect their businesses and communities.
The forum reflects the Tempe Chamber’s commitment to providing businesses with timely, factual information on important public policy issues and opportunities to stay engaged in the decisions shaping Arizona’s business environment.
