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Brewer draws line on budget with Tucson bill veto
Gov. Jan Brewer used a veto of a Tucson development district bill to send a lengthy message to legislators about her budget priorities. Brewer's letter explaining the veto Monday of the Rio Nuevo Multipurpose Facilities District says it is unwise to approve legislation with spending or tax changes before there's agreement on a new state budget.
Key lawmakers scaling back tax cut measure to avoid veto
An ambitious economic development bill meant to be a follow-up to the 2011 Arizona Competitiveness Package will jettison some of its more contentious provisions due to the Ninth Floor’s concerns that it will cost too much money.
But lawmakers and business groups pushing the bill say they’re optimistic that an agreement will be reached with Gov. Jan Brewer to cut state taxes on capital g[...]
Bill on drug testing for jobless benefits advances
A bill to require drug testing for all applicants for unemployment benefits is alive but apparently in trouble at the Arizona Legislature. The bill has already been approved by the Senate but it barely emerged from a House committee on a 7-6 vote Thursday.
Bill to phase out capital gains taxes advances, but questions remain
An economic development bill championed by Rep. J.D. Mesnard and House Speaker Andy Tobin passed the Senate Appropriations Committee with unanimous GOP support, but several Republicans said they had concerns about the measure and even the bill’s sponsor said it’s likely to undergo changes.
Arizona revenue drops in February as refunds rise
Arizona's tax collections in February dropped from the same month a year ago, raising questions about its impact on the state's fiscal situation.
Phoenix, Lake Havasu posted nation’s largest construction job losses
WASHINGTON – Lori Nelson didn’t choose to leave Phoenix’s construction industry – she was forced out. After a three-decade career in construction ended abruptly when she was laid off in 2009, Nelson had to choose between leaving Phoenix to find construction work elsewhere or changing careers to stay in the city with her family.
GOP congressmen bash feds at hearing
Republican members of Arizona’s congressional delegation gathered at the state Senate to excoriate the Obama administration and the federal government over policies on forest management, the environment and a host of other issues they say are hurting the economy and hampering job creation.
Brewer, Republican congressmen to attend hearing
Republican members of Arizona’s congressional delegation and Gov. Jan Brewer will meet at the state Capitol on Friday for a hearing by the Congressional Western Caucus.
Tucson lawmaker proposes ‘Return to Work’ training program for jobless
Arizona can return more people to work by allowing firms to provide up to six weeks of training for those receiving unemployment assistance without having to add them to payrolls, a Tucson lawmaker contends.
Legislation will inject $425 million into economy for growth-stage businesses
During the past few years, Arizona has done more than any state to position itself for strong economic growth once the national economy recovers. In particular, the broad-based tax reforms and new economic development tools contained in last year’s competitiveness package laid a strong foundation on which to grow the state’s economy.
Revived Amazon.com tax bill defeated for 2nd time
The proposal to require Amazon.com to collect taxes on goods it sells to Arizona residents failed anew during a second vote in the Senate today.
Environmentalists fear utility will be exempt from efficiency requirement
Environmentalists fear that the Arizona Corporation Commission may waive its stringent energy efficiency standards rather than approve a power-cutting plan submitted by Tucson Electric Power and scheduled for a vote Friday.
