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Budget deficit now estimated at $2 billion
Legislative budget analysts said tax collections in the first quarter of the fiscal year have been so sluggish that they have revised revenue projections downward. Now, the deficit for fiscal 2010 is $2 billion. In order for the state to collect the $7.1 billion it anticipated this year, revenues would have to grow by nearly 1 percent from the prior year. However, collections are down 16 percen[...]
Report ranks Arizona ninth nationally in state, local reliance on sales taxes
Arizona ranks ninth nationally in its reliance on sales taxes to fund its state and local governments, according to a report by a nonpartisan tax research organization. The Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation found that 48.4 percent of Arizona's tax base came from general sales taxes and from selective sales taxes on motor fuel, tobacco, insurance premiums, public utilities, amusements and al[...]
Behind open doors, states track stimulus money
What do an FBI fraud team, a showdown between a governor and the legislature, and a sophisticated online system called geographic information systems have in common? All are part of states' efforts to ensure that billions in federal stimulus money are spent wisely within their borders.
Farmers, ranchers fear budget cuts to Agriculture Dept.
As Arizona continues to grapple with declining government revenue, the state's farming and ranching communities are warning that the Arizona Department of Agriculture has stretched its dollars to the limit. And the situation could grow worse, as Gov. Jan Brewer in September ordered state agencies to draft plans that predict the immediate effects on departments if their budgets are cut another 1[...]
Seasonal hiring in education helps state unemployment rate remain steady
For the second straight month, seasonal hiring in education kept Arizona's unemployment rate steady, but officials expect job losses to continue, the state Department of Commerce announced Oct. 15. The unemployment rate for September was 9.1 percent, the same as August but up from 6 percent in September 2008.
Battle begins to bring F-35 fighters to Luke AFB
Taking center stage on an issue that has long been dear to her heart, Gov. Jan Brewer announced a campaign to help make Luke Air Force Base the primary training complex for the military’s F-35 Lightning joint-strike fighter.
Report shows states’ most important revenue sources
Oregon, more than any other state, relies on its residents' income tax payments for revenue, while its northern neighbor, Washington, depends more heavily than any other state on sales taxes, according to a new 50-state analysis of state finances.
Brewer urges EPA to reconsider new regulations
Warning of potentially negative impacts on water delivery and job retention, Gov. Jan Brewer is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to consider the consequences of new regulations being proposed... […]
Pearce sets out to eliminate ‘sanctuary’ policies, create new fines for businesses
In addition to granting civil subpoena power to county attorneys for employer sanctions investigations, Sen. Russell Pearce is working on other legislation to crack down on illegal immigration in Arizona.
Environmental leaders look to ethnic media to help diversify movement
The environmental movement has been dominated by upper-class whites even though the people most affected by environmental contamination and other such problems have been ethnic minorities and the working poor, leaders of a conference for ethnic media said Oct. 8.
O’Connor: Arizona’s ‘great statesmen’ a model for handling today’s challenges
As they address the state's daunting challenges, leaders should follow the example of "great statesmen" who built Arizona by valuing cooperation, collaboration and compromise, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said Oct. 9.
Employer sanctions coming up short
Arizona's employer sanctions law has been in effect for 21 months, yet no businesses have been shut down over hiring practices. In fact, there hasn't yet been a single business forced to defend itself in court. But now, one lawmaker wants to change all that by giving county attorneys more enforcement powers.
