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Recent Articles from Jim Small
‘Horizon’ christens Phoenix studio by recalling the past
Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was a fitting guest to christen the first "Horizon" broadcast in its new downtown Phoenix studio, given that it was her Senate confirmation hearings nearly 30 years ago that served as an informal test-run for the show.
GOP proposal calls for tax cuts amid budget crisis
Republican lawmakers unveiled a plan to change Arizona's economic course, calling for major shifts in tax policy - including tax cuts - and creation of tools to lure high-wage businesses to the state.
UpClose with Elliott Pollack
Economists aren't known for being the life of the party, but Elliott Pollack defies the stereotype. The chief economist for Valley National Bank in the 1970s and '80s, and a longtime member of the Legislature's Finance Advisory Committee, Pollack is known for slideshow presentations that feature outlandish photos to drive home the point he is trying to make.
Tibshraeny bill would raise caps on rainy day fund
One lesson the state can take away from the ongoing financial crisis is that the state needs to be better prepared to handle plummeting tax revenue in the future - and that may require a return to the past.
New budget solution: Deal with it next year
This year's budget problems might just become next year's nightmare. Lawmakers hacked $650 million from the state's deficit during the final two months of 2009, but the shortfall still tops $1.4 billion.
SRP tiptoes along ‘political subdivision’ designation
In defining its legal status, Salt River Project stays firmly in limbo: When sued by customers, the utility takes shelter in its designation as a political subdivision of the state; when challenged to produce public records, it argues that it doesn't fit the definition of a public body.
Weirdest of 2009: Prostitutes, dangerous stairwells and locked-in lobbyists
There is no doubt that 2009 will go down in the annals of history as one of the most unusual years in Arizona political history. But, even in a year that saw lawmakers meet through the dog days of summer and still not have a balanced state budget, there were events that stood out as the craziest of the crazy.
Weiers looks to restore historic dome’s shine
The Arizona Capitol's famed copper dome, much like its finances, has lost its luster. What was once a shiny beacon of the state's prosperity and a nod to the historical importance the ore played in its development has become dull and faded. Although chemically treated to prevent tarnishing, the copper is visibly discolored over much of the dome's surface.
UpClose with Frank Antenori
If you're in a room with Frank Antenori, you'll definitely know it. The freshman Republican representative from Tucson is loud - no doubt a product of his military days, commanding Special Forces troops in battle. He's also not one to bite his tongue, a personality trait that got him some unwanted press coverage during last year's election when he criticized opponents who were running with public [...]
Lights out on payday loans
Next year, the Arizona Legislature will decide whether to eliminate payday lending in the state, which presents a dilemma for Republican lawmakers who will have to decide between their free-enterprise beliefs and a moral objection to the large fees on short-term loans.
Lawmakers give final approval to special session bill
Arizona lawmakers have given final approval to a bill that will carve $193 million out of state government spending and ended their fifth special session of the year.
Day 3: Tracking the fifth special session
Day 3 of the fifth special session has started. It's expected to be the final day. Check back for up-to-the-minute updates.
