Richard Stavneak, director of the Joint Budget Legislative Committee, said the $1 billion budget gap in fiscal 2016 assumes that this year’s shortfall will be solved with one-time solutions.

Presumptive Democratic gubernatorial nominee Fred DuVal unveiled a plan for spurring job growth in Arizona that includes improving K-12 and higher education, expanding tax credits for research and development, reducing regulatory burdens and giving preference to in-state companies that compete for government contracts.

Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law her top economic development priority of the year, a bill exempting manufacturers from paying sales taxes on the electricity and natural gas they consume.

Arizona Commerce Authority CEO Sandra Watson netted a $68,750 bonus for fiscal year 2013 to along with her $250,000 salary.

Arizona’s economy continues to perform well relative to other states, but financial experts predicted another year of slow growth and recovery from the recession.

Arizona is expected to create 59,000 jobs in 2014, a moderate gain of 2.35 percent, the state’s Office of Employment and Population Statistics said.

Gov. Jan Brewer has signed the budget that was passed earlier this month by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers over the objections of Republicans legislative leaders.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has vetoed a bill that would have allowed charter schools to enroll some disabled pre-school students because the Legislature didn't include funding for the students.

Arizona’s jobless rate inched up to 8 percent in January, when the state shed 45,500 jobs, the state’s employment and population statistics said today.

Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to simplify the state’s sales tax system could increase state revenues slightly or carry a hefty price tag depending on which estimate of the Legislature’s budget research arm proves correct.