Arizona Capitol Times Your Inside Source for Arizona Government, Politics and Business

Another tax season has passed and of the millions of law-abiding taxpayers who filed, many had to wonder if their private financial information would remain secure. There is ample evidence to justify taxpayer concerns about confidentiality and security.

The state of Arizona – much like the rest of the nation – is at an energy crossroads. As demand for electricity grows, residents and policymakers are wrestling with questions that will define the future of the state’s energy grid, and will determine Arizona’s ability to keep its lights on and its economy vibrant in the years to come.

If recent climatic experience has taught Arizonans anything, it is that the specter of drought is an ever-present proposition. Droughts of 30- or even 50-year durations are not unknown phenomena. So, even when Mother Nature blesses us with a wet year, like this year, water in the Southwest remains a scarce resource that must be managed cooperatively with a long-term view, if we are to assure that water remains available and abundant for the millions of people who rely on it.

Very likely far more dollars could be gained with improved tax enforcement, but adding corporate auditors is an obvious step. It’s a win-win for the state and those that already comply with the state’s tax laws.

When you think of places at the forefront of innovation, of course, California’s Silicon Valley immediately comes to mind. But when it comes to self-driving cars, one of the most transformative technological developments of our time, Arizona’s own Valley of the Sun is a pioneer.

The case for Governor Doug Ducey’s infrastructure plan for public universities comes down to one word: Jobs. We’re talking about quality, high-paying jobs – the kind provided by employers that demand a trained, educated workforce. The fundamental tie between higher education and the economy is the reason business and community leaders from across Arizona have thrown their support behind the Ducey plan.

Between health care reform, the border wall, and growing international unrest, Washington has a lot on its plate in the weeks to come. But we must make a point of prioritizing tax reform. Thirty years have passed since the last serious reforms, and our economy has been hampered by our outdated system.

Arizonans have a history of putting partisanship aside and finding common ground when it comes to resolving our water disputes. With vision and leadership, we have created a thriving economy and secured our water future. It has not been easy, requiring negotiation, cooperation and compromise every step of the way.

One more study has emerged showing the economic benefits of immigration and this time there is a letter to the president signed by 1,400 economists. Once again, this is disingenuous.

$62,500. That’s the annual cost my company, bluemedia, would pay the federal government yearly in excess taxes if not for Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema.