Last week, GBA’s new Director of State Affairs Meredith Beeson promoted GBA member companies and foreign direct investment (FDI) at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Summit in Nashville. More than 6,000 state elected officials, legislative staffers, and business representatives attended the event dedicated to exploring state policy trends.
GBA continued its participation in the NCSL State and Local Taxation (SALT) Taskforce during this year’s summit. For more than 20 years, the SALT Taskforce has facilitated bipartisan dialogue on relevant tax issues happening in legislatures around the country. This year’s topics included recent tax trends across the United States, an overview of gross receipt and other corporate income tax proposals, as well as continued debate about state-level digital services taxes and marketplace facilitator trends. Through the Taskforce, GBA connected with elected officials about the vital role of international businesses play in generating American jobs and economic opportunity.
GBA also brought its expertise to the NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee. GBA Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs Clinton Blair joined SelectUSA Executive Director Brian Lenihan and Commissioner Bob Rolfe of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development on a panel titled “Competing for International Investment and Economic Development.” Panelists discussed the state of FDI in the United States and practical strategies to attract international companies. In particular, Clinton emphasized the growing trend among governors in issuing Open Investment Policy Statements (OIPS) as one way to send a clear message to international businesses that they are welcome and can expect a level playing field. Most recently, governors from Missouri and Rhode Island have issued OIPS.
For the latest updates on GBA and our member companies, as well as key highlights from the NCSL Summit, check out GBA on Twitter.
