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Will the show go on? AZ arts orgs plan for survival
Caught in what could be described as a perfect storm, the Arizona arts community is struggling to stay afloat. Hit by reductions in public funding, cutbacks by corporate donors and a skittish audience that is staying home, arts advocates nevertheless are following that long-standing tradition - the show must go on.
UpClose with Jessica Berg of Lodestar Day Resource Center
Jessica Berg became executive director of the Lodestar Day Resource Center, a one-stop service center for the homeless, in 2006. She came to Phoenix in 2005 as a National Urban Fellow, a fellowship that is part of a graduate program at Baruch College in New York City. Berg mentored with Maricopa County Manager David Smith.
Local taxpayers may see higher rates to pay for school costs
Lawmakers may shift the responsibility for education funding to local property owners as a way of coping with staggering budget deficits in the near future, even though it would translate to higher property taxes.
AZ officials sign business contracts with China
Arizona officials met with Chinese officials at a Trade Cooperation Forum Sept. 8 in Scottsdale to mark the signing of 41 contracts and cooperation agreements between various U.S.-based businesses and China.Gov. Jan Brewer was in attendance with government officials from Colorado, Idaho, Kansa, and Nevada, as well as Wu Bangguo, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congr[...]
In tough environment for tourist businesses, it helps to stand out
SEDONA - Next to a sign promising red rock views from every room of an inn - walk-ins welcome - and down the street from a trolley service billing itself as "the best first thing to do in Sedona," Damon Anderson, six-shooter on his hip, marshal badge on his vest, twirls a lasso to lure tourists into Red Rock Western Jeep Tours.
States’ fiscal problems have never been worse
World War II jolted the U.S. out of its last massive financial crisis, but with no global war to propel a recovery this time states are scrambling to staunch the red ink splashing across their budget sheets.
Billion-dollar deficits to plague Ariz. through 2013
Most states are swimming in red ink, but Arizona is on the verge of drowning in it. Federal stimulus dollars intended to prop up government revenues and help states weather the economic storm have been spent, and the Grand Canyon State is facing deficits that could reach $3 billion in each of the next three years.
Unbalanced budget poses a legal quagmire
The Arizona Constitution requires the enactment of a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year before July 1. But two months into the fiscal 2010, the budget in place was not signed or balanced, even on paper.
State tax hikes take aim at top earners
Two months into the current fiscal year and still without a budget, Connecticut state senators voted at 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 1 to send Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R) a spending plan that generates revenue by hiking income taxes on the state's wealthiest residents.
Budget cuts test state personnel policies
Forced to dramatically cut payrolls, some states are finding low-cost ways to boost employee morale, even as they struggle to maintain basic human resource functions such as training, recruiting, hiring and regular performance reviews.
Tax appeals skyrocket as home values plummet
After learning in February that 99 percent of all Maricopa County homeowners could expect to see the value of their homes decrease from the previous year, Gregory Sarena was stunned to learn the county assessor concluded his Cave Creek residence had gone up 20 percent within one year.
States draw down rainy day funds
or Maine Gov. John Baldacci (D), the convergence of bad economic times and a depleted state emergency savings account is a familiar experience. When Baldacci stepped into office in 2003, he inherited a recession-battered economy and an empty reserve account, also known as a rainy day fund. As a result, he and the Legislature faced the daunting task of closing a $1.2 billion budget hole without [...]
