Arizona business, agriculture, and government leaders gathered in Phoenix last week for a roundtable discussion hosted by the Arizona Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­ of Commerce & Industry and to underscore the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to Arizona’s economy and to warn against policies that could disrupt the deeply integrated North American trade relationship.

As the three countries prepare for the scheduled 2026 review of the agreement, the conversation brought together Arizona agriculture leaders, produce importers, and state officials, including Gov. Katie Hobbs and Arizona Department of Agriculture Director Paul Brierley.

The message from panelists was consistent: free trade with Mexico and Canada is not an abstract policy debate for Arizona. It is foundational to the state’s economic success, food supply chain, and workforce.

“Trade supports one in five jobs in Arizona, so it’s critical to our economy,” Hobbs said during the discussion. “We can have a USMCA that puts America first, Arizona first, while continuing to leverage the benefits of the free market to make us more competitive.”

The event highlighted Arizona’s unique role within the North American economy, particularly in agriculture. According to Farmers for Free Trade data, Arizona exported approximately $1.1 billion in agricultural goods to Mexico and Canada in 2025, supporting roughly 5,900 Arizona jobs.

Mexico and Canada remain the dominant destinations for Arizona agricultural exports. Vegetables and melons, fruits and tree nuts, beverages, meat products, and dairy products rank among the state’s top exports to its USMCA partners.

Speakers repeatedly emphasized that modern agriculture is built around integrated supply chains spanning all three countries.

The Arizona Farm Bureau’s Jim Boyle, a dairy farmer, pointed to the dramatic expansion of export opportunities since the original North American Free Trade Agreement took effect in 1994. Arizona dairy producers, for example, now ship various dairy products into Mexico, supporting processing plants and jobs across the state.

Panelists also pushed back on the notion that the United States can simply eliminate agricultural imports without significant consequences for consumers and producers alike.

Fresh Produce Association of the Americas President and CEO Lance Jungmeyer noted that Arizona’s produce industry depends heavily on complementary growing seasons between the United States and Mexico. Imports through Nogales help ensure year-round availability of fruits and vegetables while also stabilizing prices and supporting Arizona warehousing, trucking, logistics, and distribution jobs.

That interconnectedness extends well beyond produce. Brierley noted the importance of cross-border cooperation on food safety inspections, livestock health, fertilizer supply chains, and water management.

The discussion also touched on growing concerns over tariffs and uncertainty surrounding future trade policy. While participants acknowledged there may be areas within USMCA that could be improved — particularly around enforcement issues involving Canada — the broader consensus was that maintaining stability and predictability remains paramount.

Boyle warned that tariffs often hit agricultural producers particularly hard, reducing export opportunities for one of the world’s most productive farming sectors.

“Tariffs hurt American farmers greatly,” Boyle said. “We produce more food in the United States than we consume. Our export market really does help feed the world. Tariffs, essentially put up barriers to continue to do that.”

Panelists argued that preserving and strengthening North America’s economic integration is especially important as global competition intensifies.

Brierley noted that North America’s integrated supply chains give the United States, Mexico, and Canada a strategic advantage in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

The roundtable comes amid heightened attention on Arizona’s relationship with Mexico, particularly as the state continues to navigate issues involving border security, water policy, and international commerce simultaneously.

Still, speakers stressed that Arizona’s economic future is deeply tied to maintaining strong relationships with both neighboring countries.

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A recent court decision in Pima County is being viewed as a meaningful win for Arizona’s business and development community, reinforcing long-standing legal boundaries around when local actions can be challenged by referendum.  &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

The April 30 ruling denied a petition filed by a group called Arizonans for Responsible Development, which had sought to force the Town of Marana to process a referendum challenge to a development agreement tied to a hotel project on approximately 19 acres of town-owned property in downtown Marana. Judge Jeffrey T. Bergin found that the town’s action was administrative rather than legislative, meaning it is not subject to referendum under Arizona law.   

The practical effect: the project can move forward subject to appellate review.  &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

Why it matters for Arizona’s business community  &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

Mike Bailey, general counsel and director of legal reform programs for the Arizona Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­, said the ruling has implications well beyond Marana.  &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

“This decision reinforces an important principle: when a community has already gone through a public process to establish its development plan, a resolution that carries out that plan shouldn’t have to start from scratch,” Bailey said. “Using the referendum process to relitigate settled land-use policy is a tactic we’re seeing more frequently, and it creates real uncertainty for businesses and communities trying to plan ahead.” &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

Arizona Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­ President and CEO Danny Seiden said the case reflects a broader pattern the Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­ has been watching closely.  &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

“Communities across Arizona are working hard to attract investment and create jobs, and that work depends on a process that’s predictable and transparent,” Seiden said. “When development projects that have gone through proper public channels get tied up in legal challenges designed to delay or derail them, everyone loses. This ruling is a good outcome for Marana and a good outcome for Arizona.”  &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

The legal background  &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

The central question was whether the town’s resolution created new policy or simply carried out a framework already in place. The court found that the resolution implemented zoning and land-use parameters established nearly two decades ago through a 2008 ordinance that created the Downtown Marana plan. Because it executed existing policy rather than establishing new policy, the court concluded it was administrative in nature and not subject to referendum.  &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

The plaintiffs had also argued that state law requires all development agreements to go through the referendum process.  

The court rejected that argument as well, consistent with prior Court of Appeals rulings on the same question.  &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

A second case, a similar outcome &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

In a separate but related case, the court also ruled in favor of the Town of Marana in a dispute over referendum petitions tied to a proposed data center project. &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

In that case, the court granted summary judgment affirming the Town Clerk’s decision to reject the petitions after finding they did not strictly comply with Arizona’s statutory requirements governing referendum filings.  &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

The ruling reinforces another key principle: even when a referendum is permitted, the process must be followed precisely. Arizona statutes establish a strict compliance standard to ensure voters have full and accurate information when considering ballot measures. &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

Together, the two rulings draw clearer lines around both when referendums can be used and how they must be executed — distinctions that matter to businesses and communities trying to plan and invest with confidence. &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

The decisions come as the Arizona Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­ continues to push for local ballot reform at the Legislature through SB 1429 and HCR 2051, aimed at bringing greater consistency and transparency to the initiative and referendum process at the local level. &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;

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Valleywise Health is expanding its independently accredited dental residency program to strengthen Arizona’s health care workforce while improving access to oral health services in underserved communities.

The Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency, which launched its inaugural cohort in 2025, recently welcomed three new residents as part of its continued growth. The program is designed to prepare dentists to deliver comprehensive, community-focused care—particularly in complex medical and social environments often encountered in safety-net settings.

The expansion marks a significant milestone for Valleywise Health, which has long played a central role in training medical professionals but only recently established its first dental residency program under its sole sponsorship.

Dr. Christopher Brendemuhl, director of dentistry at Valleywise Community Health dental clinics and chair of the Department of Dentistry, said the program is intentionally designed to cultivate a new generation of dentists committed to service.

“Our goal is to influence the next generation of dentists to be community-service minded and to truly embrace the Valleywise Health mission,” Brendemuhl said. “We want to build a group of dentists who are connected to the community, who are lifelong learners and who are passionate about serving the most vulnerable of our populations.”

The residency received initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation in August 2024 and is working toward full accreditation, an important step in solidifying its role as a long-term training pipeline.

Integrated care model reflects evolving health needs

A key feature of the program is its emphasis on integrated, team-based care. Residents rotate through Valleywise Health’s network of Federally Qualified Health Centers and its flagship medical center, gaining hands-on experience that connects oral health with broader medical treatment.

This interdisciplinary approach reflects a growing recognition across the health care sector that oral health is closely tied to overall health outcomes.

“Our residency uniquely integrates dentistry with broader medical care, offering a holistic view of health that extends beyond the dental chair,” Brendemuhl said. “This experience is enriched through rotations in specialized clinics and interdisciplinary settings where residents see firsthand how oral health impacts overall health.”

Training sites include the Comprehensive Health Center in Phoenix, where residents collaborate across specialties; the Peoria location, which offers exposure to ambulatory surgical care; and the McDowell clinic, which focuses on treating patients living with HIV/AIDS.

Building a pipeline for community-based care

The program’s expansion comes as Arizona, like much of the country, faces ongoing challenges in ensuring adequate access to health care providers—particularly in community health settings that serve low-income and medically complex populations.

Valleywise Health operates a network of Federally Qualified Health Centers across Maricopa County, positioning the residency program as a direct pipeline for dentists prepared to practice in those environments.

The organization, which has trained medical professionals since 1952 and serves as Arizona’s only public teaching hospital and safety-net health system, sees the dental residency as a natural extension of its broader workforce mission.

“This program is about more than training dentists,” Brendemuhl said. “It’s about building a workforce that understands the needs of our community and is equipped to meet them with skill and compassion.”

As Arizona continues to grow, efforts like Valleywise Health’s AEGD program highlight the critical role of locally driven workforce development in meeting the state’s long-term health care needs—particularly for populations that have historically faced barriers to care.

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The Arizona Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­ of Commerce & Industry convened business leaders and policymakers last Friday for its annual Update from Capitol Hill luncheon, which featured a timely and wide-ranging discussion with U.S. Reps. Greg Stanton (D) and Juan Ciscomani (R) alongside national political analysis from Jonathan Martin of Politico.

A federal outlook with Arizona implications

The conversation with Stanton and Ciscomani covered a broad policy landscape, reflecting the complex and interconnected challenges facing Arizona employers. Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­ included infrastructure investment, international trade, workforce development, regulatory reform, foreign affairs, and ongoing negotiations over the Colorado River—issues with immediate and long-term consequences for the state’s economic outlook.

For Arizona’s business community, the opportunity to hear directly from members of Congress—particularly in a divided government environment—remains a central value of the event.

A battleground state in focus

Providing a national lens, Martin offered a detailed assessment of the 2026 election cycle, with particular emphasis on Arizona’s role as a key battleground state. His analysis highlighted the evolving dynamics of modern campaigns, including the growing influence of social media platforms and artificial intelligence in shaping voter behavior and information consumption.

The discussion underscored the degree to which national political trends are increasingly intertwined with local economic and policy considerations, especially in a state that continues to draw national attention.

A signature forum for dialogue

Arizona Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­ President and CEO Danny Seiden emphasized the importance of maintaining strong connections between the business community and federal policymakers.

“This event continues to be one of the most important opportunities we have each year to bring Arizona’s business leaders together with the people shaping policy in Washington,” Seiden said. “We’re grateful to Congressman Stanton and Congressman Ciscomani for sharing their perspectives and engaging in a candid discussion on the issues that matter most to our state. And Jonathan Martin provided valuable insight into a rapidly evolving political environment, especially as we head into a consequential midterm election year.”

The luncheon was made possible through the support of presenting sponsor Salt River Project, along with sponsors EPCOR, Arizona Public Service, Mastercard, and Banner Health.

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The Arizona Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­ of Commerce & Industry will host its annual Update from Capitol Hill luncheon on Friday at the Arizona Biltmore, bringing together members of Arizona’s congressional delegation and one of the country’s most closely watched political analysts.

will feature U.S. Reps. Juan Ciscomani and Greg Stanton, along with Jonathan Martin of Politico, columnist and host of the .

Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­ spoke with Arizona Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­ President and CEO Danny Seiden about the event and what he’s most interested in hearing.

Tell us about Update from Capitol Hill. It’s one of the Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­â€™s premier annual events, isn’t it?

Danny Seiden:

It really is one of our signature events each year. What makes it so valuable is that it brings Arizona’s business community face-to-face with members of our congressional delegation at a time when so many federal decisions are directly affecting our state’s economy.

There’s no substitute for hearing directly from the people who are in the room making those decisions—whether it’s on taxes, trade, infrastructure, or regulatory policy. And just as important, it gives our members a chance to better understand the dynamics in Washington and how those decisions translate back home to Arizona.

What topics are you anticipating you’ll hear about from Congressmen Ciscomani and Stanton?

There’s certainly no shortage of issues right now. Water is always top of mind in Arizona, and I expect that to be part of the conversation given the federal government’s role in long-term solutions.

Beyond that, I think we’ll hear a lot about the broader state of Congress—how things are functioning, what’s realistic in terms of bipartisan cooperation, and what we can expect over the coming months.

There are also a lot of frontpage issues—from border policy to economic conditions to foreign affairs—that have real implications for Arizona employers. Having both Congressman Ciscomani and Congressman Stanton there gives us a valuable bipartisan perspective on those challenges.

This year the Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­ is welcoming Jonathan Martin from Politico. What do you believe he’ll add to the conversation?

is one of the most respected political commentators in the country. He’s been covering national politics for a long time, and he brings a level of experience and insight that’s hard to match.

He’s also a regular presence on the Sunday shows, so he’s constantly plugged into the national conversation. With this being an election year, his perspective on the state of politics—where things stand heading into the primaries and what to expect in November—will be incredibly valuable.

Honestly, there are very few people who can provide that kind of real-time, informed analysis of what’s happening in Washington and on the campaign trail. I think our attendees will really benefit from hearing his take.

How do federal decisions right now directly impact Arizona’s business community, and what should employers here be paying closest attention to?

Federal policy has a very real, day-to-day impact on Arizona employers, whether people always see that connection or not. Decisions coming out of Washington affect everything from the cost of doing business to the availability of workforce and the reliability of our supply chains.

For Arizona, trade and border policy are especially important. We’re a major gateway state, so anything that affects cross-border commerce—whether it’s customs operations, infrastructure, or security—has a direct impact on our economy. The USMCA review is coming up, for example, so we’re paying close attention to that.

Energy is another major factor right now. Global uncertainty, particularly events in the Middle East, can create volatility in energy markets, and that has a ripple effect across the economy. When fuel costs rise, it impacts everything from what we pay at the pump to the cost of transporting goods, which ultimately shows up in prices on store shelves.

And, obviously, water is also an area where federal involvement matters, particularly in terms of long-term planning and investment. I know our delegation is deeply involved in that issue.

And of course, tax and regulatory policy always play a role in shaping whether businesses can grow and compete.

I’d also point to the overall economic environment—interest rates, inflation, and federal spending decisions—all of which influence business confidence and investment.

The bottom line is that what happens shows up here in Arizona, and that’s why it’s so important for our business community to stay informed and engaged.

More about this year’s Update from Capitol Hill luncheon can be found on the Arizona Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­â€™s .

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