Latest news with #OfficeofEconomicOpportunity
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hobbs appointee caught between federal law and GOP opposition to diversity programs
Carlos Contreras, Gov. Katie Hobbs' pick to head the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity is grilled by Sen. Jake Hoffman during a Senate Director Nominations Committee meeting on May 28, 2025. Screenshot via The far-right Republican senator who already blocked several of Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs' picks to lead state agencies has accused another nominee of lying and violating the Arizona Constitution. The nominee's transgression? Adhering to grant requirements that were already baked into Arizona's federally required state workforce plans by Hobbs' Republican predecessor. Ignoring those federal requirements would put the grant money at risk. But that didn't stop Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, from grilling Carlos Contreras, Hobbs' nominee to head up the Office of Economic Opportunity, during a May 28 Director Nominations Committee hearing. When Contreras answered that he was following the rules stipulating the use of the federal grant money, Hoffman said that was not good enough. 'Hoffman is just trying to find excuses to villainize these highly qualified public servants,' Sen. Analise Ortiz, a Phoenix Democrat and member of the committee, told the Arizona Mirror. 'And, in this case, he was just flatly wrong, spewing misinformation and thinking that anything he says goes, when that is just not the case.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Hoffman, who leads the far-right Arizona Freedom Caucus, is the chairman of the Arizona Senate's Director Nominations Committee, which was created in 2023 specifically to scrutinize Hobbs' director nominees. It has held numerous contentious and combative nomination hearings since then, and its Republican members refused to confirm several of the governor's nominees. Some of the nominees backed out prior to a confirmation committee hearing that they knew wasn't going to go their way. State law requires the state Senate confirm a governor's agency directors, but before Hobbs took office in 2023, confirmations occurred with little fanfare following brief interviews with relevant legislative committees. After Hobbs struggled to get committee approval for many of her director nominees in 2023, she attempted to bypass the Senate by leaving director posts vacant and instead appointing deputy directors who essentially served as directors. Agency directors are subject to Senate approval, but deputy directors are not. But Senate Republicans sued and a judge ruled that the move violated state law, so Hobbs agreed to once again submit her director nominees for committee approval. Contreras, who spent 25 years working for Intel, including as its U.S. education manager, has headed the Office of Economic Opportunity since 2023. Part of the office's mission is to coordinate the state's workforce development strategy. During Contreras' May 28 Director Nominations Committee hearing, Hoffman repeatedly questioned the nominee about the scoring system used to award grants via the BuilditAZ apprenticeship program. The program helps to fund earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships in construction, an area with an increasing need for skilled workers. 'Why is your agency awarding higher scores for programs based on race, sex, or identity of their participants?' Hoffman asked. Led by President Donald Trump, Republicans both nationally and locally have been on a crusade to rid diversity, equity and inclusion requirements from government, education and the private sector. 'You don't have statutory authority to select based on race, sex or English language learner status, yet you did it anyway,' Hoffman said, accusing Contreras of violating the Arizona Constitution and state statute. Contreras initially answered that his office was following U.S. Department of Labor grant requirements, but Hoffman dismissed that explanation, arguing that the OEO doesn't have to participate in a grant program with what he called discriminatory requirements. Ortiz called the suggestion that the state forgo federal grants that have requirements that Hoffman disagrees with 'ridiculous.' 'We are in a situation as a state where we need to look for opportunities for funding anywhere that we can,' she said. 'The purpose of these federal grant programs is to provide that additional support for states in order to strengthen our economies, strengthen our workforce.' As Hoffman became increasingly hostile, Contreras struggled to answer the chairman's numerous versions of the same question about the grant scoring process, saying that the office did not select grant winners based solely on race. 'You're gonna struggle if you keep up obfuscating like this. OK?' Hoffman said. 'Your own documents say that you award greater points for those characteristics.' The scoring system for BuilditAZ grant proposals does give priority to 'certain demographic groups to ensure equitable access to workforce development programs and services.' But that's not an idea that Contreras came up with on his own: It's a requirement of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which funded the grants. One of the main goals of the WIOA is to help groups who face barriers to employment obtain high-quality jobs. The first several times Hoffman asked Contreras about the points system, the senator only mentioned the categories of race, sex and English language learners, but the list is much more extensive than that. It includes people with low incomes, those with disabilities, young people, displaced workers and military veterans. Hoffman's focus on race, sex and English proficiency, while leaving out so many other groups, was telling, Ortiz said. 'I think it makes it very clear that Chairman Hoffman believes that certain jobs should only be for certain people,' she said. 'And that is a racist and sexist viewpoint that does not make our workforce stronger. If we're leaving out crucial demographic groups and we are leaving out different perspectives, then we are going to be at a disadvantage as a state.' All of the groups mentioned in the BuilditAZ grant scoring rubric were outlined as priority groups in Arizona's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act state plan for 2020-2023, which was created under the direction of then-Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican. Ortiz told the Mirror that the usage of the same language in plans created by a GOP governor showed that the criticism was not actually based on the grant language, but was just a way to go after the Democratic governor. 'That is just further evidence of this process being politicized in a way that it should not be,' Ortiz said. 'And who is paying for that? It is our hardworking public servants.' As Hoffman repeatedly told Contreras that his office had violated anti-discrimination laws in both the Arizona Constitution and state statute, Ortiz interjected to request input from one of the Senate's nonpartisan attorneys. Hoffman quickly cut her off, saying that she should have asked more hard-hitting questions when it was her turn. Ortiz told the Mirror that, as an elected Senator, she should have the same authority to call points of order and to request clarification as anyone else on the committee, but that has not been the case. '(Hoffman) has been so patronizing and has treated every member of that committee like we are children that I have to sit there and bite my tongue and not call points of orders when I know that he's wrong,' Ortiz said. Hoffman was adamant that federal law doesn't supersede state law in this case, and that it was not acceptable that the grant scoring rubric 'directly conflicts with provisions of the Arizona Constitution.' The Arizona Constitution states that the state 'shall not grant preferential treatment to or discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting.' However, just two lines down in the same section, the constitution stipulates that those rules do not 'Prohibit action that must be taken to establish or maintain eligibility for any federal program, if ineligibility would result in a loss of federal monies to this state.' The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution says that, when they conflict, federal law generally supersedes state law. At the request of Sen. John Kavanagh, a Fountain Hills Republican and the vice chairman of the committee, Hoffman agreed to adjourn the meeting without making any recommendation on the nomination to give time for Contreras and members of the committee to consult with attorneys about the legality of the grant scoring system and what to do if state and federal law pertaining to it conflict. Legislative Council, the legislature's in-house division of attorneys, did not respond to the Mirror's request for clarification of the state and federal laws and how they intersect. Ortiz said that it was unfortunate that Hoffman 'unnecessarily' delayed Contreras' confirmation. 'I hope that Chairman Hoffman comes more prepared (to the next committee hearing), understanding the Supremacy Clause and understanding our state constitution before dragging all of us through this dog and pony show,' she said, 'because not only is it a waste of our time, it is a waste of precious state resources.' Hoffman suggested that all interested parties reach out to the U.S. Department of Labor for updated guidance on grant requirements since they have likely changed since Trump took office in January. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah House majority leader to step down, take key role in Cox Cabinet
Utah House Majority Leader Rep. Jefferson Moss, R-Saratoga Springs, is stepping down to take a key position in Gov. Spencer Cox's Cabinet. Cox named Moss his pick to oversee the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Moss is slated to take over on May 30, helping oversee business development, innovation, and economic strategy promotion statewide. That's also when he'll resign from the Utah Legislature. 'Jefferson Moss brings a rare combination of public service, private sector experience and a deep understanding of innovation and education,' Cox said in a statement Friday. 'He's been a driving force behind many of Utah's most forward-thinking initiatives, and I'm confident he'll lead the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity with the same vision, energy, and commitment to our state's future that have defined his career.' Moss joined the Utah Legislature in 2017, rising in the House of Representatives before becoming the House majority leader, one of the top leadership positions in the chamber. He also serves as the associate commissioner of innovation, commercialization and economic development for the Utah System of Higher Education, a leadership role he will retain despite his new cabinet role. Before that, he held roles at Utah Valley University and businesses like KeyBank and Credit Suisse. He was also a member of the Saratoga Springs City Council. 'It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of House District 51 and the state of Utah,' he said in a statement. 'I'm incredibly proud of the work we've accomplished together to strengthen our economy, invest in education, and expand opportunity for Utah families. I look forward to continuing my work in a new capacity, helping lead Utah's economic future.' The Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity oversees several state agencies, committees and programs, including the Utah Office of Tourism and Utah Film Commission. It's also the agency that gave final approval to the Capital City Convention Center Reinvestment Zone, a piece of the financing options for major downtown Salt Lake plans by the Delta Center, as it handles housing and transit reinvestment zones. Moss will replace Ryan Starks, whose departure was announced last week. He has since been named the director of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. Meanwhile, the House Majority Caucus plans to hold a special leadership election 'in the coming weeks' to find a new House majority leader, according to the Utah Legislature. 'Rep. Moss is an extraordinary leader, a trusted colleague, and a loyal friend,' House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooprt, said. 'While we'll miss his leadership in the House, I know he will continue to serve Utah with the same passion and purpose in his new role.' Lawmakers are expected to meet in a special session the week of May 19, but a spokeswoman for the Legislature said a leadership vote won't take place during those interim meetings and will likely come in early June, after Moss's resignation is official. The caucus last elected new leaders in 2023 after then-Speaker Brad Wilson resigned to run for U.S. Senate. In that case, the three remaining members of GOP leadership each moved up to fill a more senior role. Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Syracuse, currently serves as majority whip, with Rep. Casey Snider, R-Paradise, as assistant whip. Republican delegates from Utah County will vote to elect a replacement for Moss in House District 51, and Utah County Republican Party Chairwoman Cristy Henshaw told the party would release a timeline for that convention Friday night or Saturday. The state GOP organizing convention is May 17. Contributing: Bridger Beal-Cvetko
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Utah's Japanese community, Japantown redevelopment plans focus at festival Saturday
Utah's Japanese community and Japanese culture are the focus of a festival Saturday that will also serve to call attention to proposed redevelopment plans in the Japantown area of Salt Lake City. Nihon Matsuri, in its 20th year, goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 26, in the Japantown area in the heart of Salt Lake City, on 100 South between 200 West and 300 West, which is known as Japantown Street. Among the expected visitors is Hiroyuki Okajima, consul general of the Japanese Consulate in Denver, which covers Utah. 'This festival is a chance for our community to share our history, art, food, entertainment, values, history of Japantown and my own personal heritage,' Jani Iwamoto, honorary consul of Japan in Salt Lake City and a former state senator, said in a letter of support for the event. The event also serves to celebrate the 'essential role' of the Japanese community 'in shaping the broader fabric of Utah's diverse culture.' Japanese food will be on offer at the festival along with exhibits and entertainment. 'Festivalgoers can look forward to an immersive cultural experience, including authentic Japanese cuisine, traditional and contemporary performances, children's games, martial arts demonstrations and educational exhibits,' according to a statement from organizers. Japanese men started coming to Utah in the late 1880s for jobs building the railroad and shifted to other work, including coal mining and working beet fields, according to the Utah Education Network's Utah History Encyclopedia. 'Utah's Japanese residents now include third and fourth generations — sansei and yonsei, respectively.' Okajima, head of the consulate, also met with Salt Lake City and Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity representatives during his brief visit here. The future of historic 'Japantown' will also be on display Saturday. The historic neighborhood, which has been whittled down to one downtown block over past developments, now finds itself at the center of the new 'sports, entertainment, culture and convention district.' Organizers plan to display 3D scale models of the current and future layouts of its remaining buildings in relation to its neighboring blocks. The Japanese Church of Christ and Salt Lake Buddhist Temple are tucked between the Salt Palace Convention Center's southwest end and the northern end of 'Block 67,' two properties with the latest developments in downtown planning. Salt Lake County is slated to vote Tuesday on whether to sell about 6.5 acres of Salt Palace land that could go toward a plan to demolish the section closest to the churches. Block 67 was recently added to the project amid concerns from Salt Lake leaders, partially because of its proximity to Japantown. Revitalizing the neighborhood and some of the other cultural buildings in the zone remains Salt Lake City Councilman Darin Mano's 'deepest hope,' but he said he was concerned the project's late addition could jeopardize that. 'I don't feel 100% confident that ... what we've done is determinative that the outcome will be positive,' he said earlier this month. 'There are still so many choices that will be made along the way — design choices, choices about where to put entrances to parking garages ... and things like that.' Meanwhile, conceptual designs that University of Utah architectural students created late last year to show what the historic neighborhood could look like will also be displayed at the event. All of the concepts reflect the neighborhood's past while 'creatively designing a Japantown of the future,' according to Lynne Ward, a member of the Japanese Church of Christ leadership. 'These ideas could spark energy into incorporating some of the ideas into the area,' she wrote in an email. Salt Lake City's proposed Main Street promenade also includes a nod to the neighborhood along 100 South east of the convention center, which divides the historic neighborhood.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City close to sale of Salt Palace land portion as downtown plans heat up
Salt Lake County leaders are close to deciding whether to sell a large portion of the Salt Palace Convention Center land in a deal that would likely factor into Smith Entertainment Group's 'sports, entertainment, culture and convention' district plans. Salt Lake County Council members will decide at an April 29 public hearing on a proposal to sell about 6.5 acres of land near 55 S. 300 West. They spent over an hour in a closed session Tuesday discussing sensitive details, like the price. County officials offered few details about the proposed sale at Tuesday's meeting. Spokespeople for Salt Lake County and Smith Entertainment Group couldn't confirm exact details but said negotiations are related to a portion of downtown revitalization plans. The listed address is located across the street from the Delta Center in the newly designated Capital City Convention Center Revitalization Zone. Project maps list a "Mid Block" at the existing western edge of the Salt Palace. Mike Maughan, a Smith Entertainment Group executive, also referenced a possible vote on April 15 regarding the "Mid Block" when he spoke about development plans at a Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity meeting to approve the zone on April 4. Smith has previously described a plan to tear into the existing structure for a plaza linking the arena to the rest of the district. County officials say they want to rebuild the convention center by constructing a second ballroom. The "Mid Block" is described as a "mixed-use development" that will "be a pivotal piece in facilitating greater east-west connectivity of the downtown core," according to a Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity document. It's listed as part of the "entertainment" portion of the district and is expected to have ties to 2034 Winter Olympic venues, as well. "Connecting the Salt Palace Convention Center to the Delta Center through the midblock will create a space for residents and visitors to enjoy and create easier connections to multiple Olympic venues," the state report says. It is still unclear what it would look like, as the design is part of ongoing negotiations. Tuesday's decision took place a day after Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson met with Smith Entertainment Group owner Ryan Smith and state leaders, according to the governor's published schedule. Tuesday's update comes a week after Salt Lake City officials finalized the Convention Center Public Infrastructure District. It was decided on days after a state committee approved the Capital City Convention Center Revitalization Zone. They set up a "funding mechanism" for the city and county to pay for projects east of the Delta Center. Each passed, but not without controversy. Major adjustments to the Salt Palace are projected to cost over $1.2 billion, while the renovation of Abravanell Hall and a potential rebuild of the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art could tack on another $230 million. Salt Lake City officials said they were only informed about the addition of "Block 67" to the zone just hours before the Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Committee voted to approve it on April 4. They requested a small delay to review the impacts of the addition, which added $300 million to the expected project cost. Their concerns boiled over into the April 8 City Council meeting, where the district was approved. "We are much better if we collaborate and work together and communicate together — and not just bring things up at the last moment," said Salt Lake City Councilman Dan Dugan. Meanwhile, Smith Entertainment Group is close to beginning its long-term plan to remodel the Delta Center, making it easier to handle both the Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club. Construction is expected to begin soon, as the season has now ended for both teams and comedian Kevin Hart's tour stop on Friday is the last event on the arena's schedule for months. Arena remodeling is expected to be completed in phases over the next three summers. It remains on track to be completed by the start of the 2027-2028 NBA and NHL seasons.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah leaders look to offer $3.5M ahead of Sundance's anticipated decision
Keeping the Sundance Film Festival in Utah isn't the top priority, but it is one item Utah leaders are looking to include as they work this week to finalize a nearly $30 billion budget. The state's proposed final budget includes $3.5 million for the festival in the 2026 fiscal year. How that money is to be used is not clear, but Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, told reporters Monday that the figure matches what Sundance leaders had asked for. It's also close to what its two competitors are reportedly offering should it be a regular payment. 'I want Sundance to stay, and I've expressed that to them. I think many people have,' he said. 'I don't think they'll have the same notoriety if they leave Utah. ... I think they'd make a big mistake by moving or leaving, but that's up to them.' Sundance Film Festival has been a Park City tradition for decades, but Sundance Institute officials announced last year that they would explore other options once their contract expires after the 2026 festival. Their decision ignited efforts from other U.S. cities to woo the prestigious festival, while Utah — and local entities — offered a proposal to split the festival between Park City and Salt Lake City. The event began as the Utah/United States Film Festival in 1978 in Salt Lake City before it was moved to Park City and the Sundance Institute took it over. Institute leaders narrowed the field in September 2024 to Park City/Salt Lake City; Boulder, Colorado; and Cincinnati, Ohio. They said they would make a decision sometime after the 2025 festival, which wrapped up on Feb. 2. Adams said Monday he doesn't expect the institute to make an announcement this week, which is the final week of the legislative session, but the decision could come at any time. The Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity had recommended $1.5 million in one-time funding and another $1.5 million in ongoing funding for the festival when it presented its budget request to the Economic and Community Development Appropriations Subcommittee on Jan. 24. 'Those would be tied, obviously, to the festival staying,' said Kameron Dalton, the officer's managing director of operations, at the time. 'I know leadership and others have had many discussions with that team, and we're hopeful to keep that as a bright spot for Utah moving forward. Those funds would certainly help that to continue.' Gov. Spencer Cox had reiterated earlier in January that he believes Sundance would be making a 'huge mistake' by leaving Utah. He likened the situation to Outdoor Retailer, which bolted Salt Lake City for Denver only to return to Salt Lake City within a decade of the move. That came after he was asked about the up to $34 million in tax incentives that the Durango Herald reported Colorado lawmakers were willing to offer the festival. The Colorado Sun explained that the measure would allocate $4 million to $5 million a year in incentives through 2030, and then $3 million a year through 2036, maxxing out at $34 million. WCPO in Cincinnati reported that the Cincinnati City Council approved $5 million toward its bid last year, which would be allocated over 10 years. The $3.5 million that the Utah Legislature approved isn't the only item within Utah's incentives package. A spokesperson for Salt Lake City confirmed to there are 'other factors to the financial package,' including a mix of public and private funding opportunities. Adams said Utah can also use the $3.5 million elsewhere in the state budget should Sundance leave. According to a report by Y2 Analytics, last year's festival generated $106.4 million in out-of-state spending and $132 million in economic impact while supporting over 1,700 jobs. The economic impact of this year's festival is still being calculated. Local leaders have also said they believe Utah and Sundance are intertwined given the history together. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in September that she believes splitting the event between Salt Lake City and Park City could help the festival grow without moving. 'The place for Sundance is the state of Utah,' she said at the time. 'What we're offering is a new friendship, a new friendship between Salt Lake City and Sundance that hasn't quite existed in the past — in a bigger way.'
