A proposal to create a new tax credit for film productions split Republicans but managed to garner just enough support to pass today in the Senate.

The debate over measure, which still needs the House’s approval, illuminates a deep divide that is plaguing the majority party over how best to set the conditions for a robust economy.

Tension among Republicans in the Senate this morning nearly boiled over during a caucus meeting regarding legislation to create new tax credits for the film industry.

Some oppose the proposal, and at least one Republican tried to keep the bill from advancing to the floor by invoking an informal rule to block the bill’s progress.

Phoenix officials are eyeing Northern California as a possible source of new jobs for Arizona’s largest city.

Doug Ducey brought 13 years of experience running a business in the private sector, including time as CEO of Cold Stone Creamery, to his post as Arizona state treasurer. Now, as he and his staff are responsible for managing the state’s $11.4 billion portfolio of taxpayer money on a daily basis, he shares what the state is — and is not — doing effectively in recovering from the Great Recession.

Arizona has collected $744,000 in taxes for online purchases in the first three months of the year just by adding a line to state income tax forms.

But the new use-tax declaration line is set to go away if the Senate passes a bill approved by the House on Thursday and Gov. Jan Brewer signs it into law.

Differing revenue forecasts pose a challenge for Republican Gov. Jan Brewer and Republican legislative leaders to resolve as they continue negotiations over spending increases proposed by Brewer.

Arizona has broken Nevada’s 62-month streak as the foreclosure capital of the nation.

The state’s foreclosure rate in March actually dropped, but Nevada’s dropped more. California kept its third-place ranking.

Mesa businessman Bob Worsley has fired the first shot in the primary race against former Senate President Russell Pearce, calling him out for spearheading a boycott campaign against the advertisers of an alternative newspaper.

A group of Arizona retailers called on Gov. Jan Brewer this week to support legislation that would tax their online competitors, but the lawmaker trying to help broker the deal says the future of the “Amazon bill” is still unclear.

The so-called brick-and-mortar retailers want online companies that have a physical presence in the state to be taxed at the same level they are.

Graduate students at Arizona’s three public universities will see across-the-board tuition increases in the next academic year, under plans submitted by university presidents and approved by the state Board of Regents today.