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Arizona Commerce Authority transparency criticized by PIRG
The Arizona Public Interest Research Group yesterday released a report critiquing the Arizona Commerce Authority’s transparency practices, calling on the agency to make more information about subsidy programs available online and to fight for legislative change in areas where the ACA is prohibited by law from disclosing information.
What finalists?
Though Commerce Authority officials have said they are reviewing whether they will release the names of the finalists being considered in the search for a new CEO, current CEO Don Cardon told our reporter today that the selection committee doesn't even have a list of finalists.
ACA backtracks on plans to announce new CEO
After initially saying it would announce its new CEO at a meeting Friday, the Arizona Commerce Authority now says the selection may be pushed back and that it doesn’t even have a list of finalists yet.
Commerce Authority backs off controversial ‘stipends’
The Arizona Commerce Authority announced late Friday afternoon that it will not be awarding the $5,000 stipends it had earlier promised to15 companies eliminated from a competitive grant program.
The Goldwater Institute’s Clint Bolick sent a letter to the ACA earlier this month, warning that the awards for unsuccessful semifinalists in the agency’s Innovation Challenge could be a viol[...]
Commerce Authority shields activity from public
The Arizona Commerce Authority came into existence nearly a year ago with a vow to be open and transparent, but the economic development agency has not followed through on all of those commitments.
The Commerce Authority has refused to disclose the list of finalists for its CEO position, refused to release information about who vets applicants for a $1.5 million grant program and makes [...]
Commerce refuses to disclose CEO finalists
The Arizona Commerce Authority thus far has not released its list of finalists for outgoing CEO Don Cardon’s job, but one source who’s familiar with the search said Arizona Chamber of Commerce President Glenn Hamer is in contention and has been interviewed for the position.
Commerce Authority to name new CEO at next meeting
The Arizona Commerce Authority will announce its new president and CEO at its May 18 board meeting.
Critics say ACA tax credits to businesses should be fully disclosed
Since the Arizona Commerce Authority officially launched on July 1, it has awarded $17.2 million in incentives to companies moving to or expanding in Arizona. But detailed information is available for less than half of that money.
That’s because $9.3 million has been awarded in the form of tax credits, which are defined in Arizona statute as confidential taxpayer information.
Cardon will return $50K signing bonus
Outgoing Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO Don Cardon will give back the $50,000 signing bonus he received last year.
Capitol Quotes: Jan. 20, 2012
This week's most outstanding quips, jibes and utterances.
Commerce Authority lawyers exploring whether Cardon should pay back $50K
Attorneys for the Arizona Commerce Authority are poring over outgoing CEO Don Cardon’s contract to see whether the agency can recoup a $50,000 signing bonus he received, and will likely put safeguards into his successor’s contract to make sure it won’t be a question next time.
Capitol Quotes: Jan. 13, 2012
This week's most outstanding quips, gibes and utterances.
