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Communities, state face tight budgets as they prepare for centennial
It's closing in on 100 years since veterinarian A.J. Chandler sold plots of his 18,000-acre ranch to establish the city. That was three months after Arizona became a state on Feb. 14, 1912. City leaders are organizing to commemorate both centennials next year. But given the poor economy and tight budget, it's going to require scaling back some and seeking private donations, said Jean Reynolds, [...]
Ariz. lawmaker says economic package nearly ready
Arizona House Speaker Kirk Adams says Gov. Jan Brewer and top Republican legislative leaders are near agreement on a package of business tax cuts and other steps intended to boost economic development.
‘Professionalizing Arizona’s economic philosophy’
Supporters of the Arizona Commerce Authority say public-private economic development agencies play important practical and psychological roles in attracting new jobs to the state.
Some say ‘incentives,’ others call them ‘bribes’
Like many public-private partnerships, the Arizona Commerce Authority will be responsible not only for attracting new businesses, but also for doling out incentives. Others say the incentives many states use to lure new companies ignore the needs of businesses already in the state, especially small businesses, while paying their competition to move in next door.
Brewer leaves out legislative priority in Chamber lunch economic speech
Gov. Jan Brewer made her economic agenda for the upcoming session clear, and the agenda she didn't lay out spoke volumes as well.
AZ shows more signs of recovery
Arizona's economy showed more signs of recovery in November, the fourth consecutive month of year-to-year growth in state revenue.
GOP tax plan good for business, bad for homeowners
Republican lawmakers and the governor are moving ahead with a tax-reduction plan they say would enable Arizona to attract more businesses and jobs to the state, even though the likely result would be a heavier tax burden for homeowners.
Business tax incentive debate indicates division in GOP
As debate looms in the Arizona Legislature regarding the best tax policy to foster job growth, a conservative, pro-market group is warning lawmakers against enacting incentives that benefit only certain companies.
Panel recommends extending tax credits for working poor
Despite "no" votes by Sen. Ron Gould and Rep.-elect Jack Harper, a panel of lawmakers recommended extending tax credits that benefit the working poor and charities.
Commerce Authority plans shift 24 employees to OSPB
More than two-dozen employees will transfer to the governor's budget office from the Department of Commerce before the end of the year as part of a larger move to shift economic development responsibilities to a public-private organization.
Arizona not alone in fiscal storm
The recession hit Arizona hard, but the situation here isn't as precarious as in Illinois, which is struggling from a whopping $13 billion budget deficit. Like Arizona, many states face significant budget shortfalls this year, a situation that probably will get worse as federal aid expires next year.
Tough times far from over for states
Lawmakers have reduced spending for parks, health care for low-income children and some state-funded medical transplants. Still, the tough times are far from over.
