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It’s a no-go for ‘Extreme Makeover: House edition’
Several House Republicans were surprised to hear that the nowscrapped renovation plans to the chamber would cost more than $2 million. But not all of the caucus was surprised that the project was estimated to cost double what sources had originally said.
Gowan pursues House renovations despite GOP revolt
Reaction was quick and decisive when House Republicans learned of Speaker David Gowan’s plans for a second large-scale renovation of the chamber in the past six months.
House Republicans want oversight of speaker’s ‘excessive spending’
House Speaker David Gowan’s Republican colleagues don’t trust him with the power of the House purse. Gowan told the Arizona Capitol Times that the House has plans in place for a large-scale construction project. The project, which Gowan said is still in the planning phase, will include installing showers and building a new “multi-purpose” room, a massive overhaul of the House basement and [...]
Bumpy ride: Turmoil in housing industry translates into a tepid state economy
Despite efforts by policymakers to diversify the state’s economy, Arizona still rides on the boom and bust of the housing industry. And when this sector is inactive, its silence – and all the troubles that entails – reverberate throughout the state.
High court: No automatic priority for contractor’s lien under state law
A lien placed by a construction firm doesn’t automatically have priority over other liens recorded after work begins on a development, according to a Arizona Supreme Court ruling.
State’s jobless rate falls as economic growth improves slightly
The jobless rate fell to 8.2 percent in October, compared to 8.3 percent in the month before, the state’s Office of Employment and Population Statistics reported today. In contrast, the... […]
3 years later, still no groundbreaking on donation-funded state border fence
Nearly three years after lawmakers started soliciting public donations to build a portion of fence along Arizona’s border with Mexico, lawmakers still don’t have a plan to build a fence with the $264,028 they have received.
Rail and roads
The iArizona Committee is headed by Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and backed by a broad coalition of local politicians, construction contractors and business interests. Their ultimate goal is to boost Arizona’s economy and status as a transportation hub connecting Los Angeles, Dallas and Mexico, as well as linking Arizona’s manufacturing and economic hubs to one another.
Auditor general’s report finds flaws in handling of construction complaints
A performance audit by the state Auditor General’s Office highlighted several problems in the Registrar of Contractors system designed to ensure quality work from licensed contractors to consumers.
Arizona roads, bridges in good shape, but budget cuts worry some
Arizona has some of the safest roads and bridges in the nation, according to a new analysis of Federal Highway Administration data, but experts worry that recent budget cuts could threaten state roads in the future.
Ground to be broken on light rail extension
Ground will be broken Saturday on a project to extend metro Phoenix's light rail system by three miles.
Study: Private and state-run prisons comparable in cost and quality
Most of Arizona’s private prisons are comparable in cost and quality of service to state-run prisons, a biennial study issued Wednesday by the Arizona Department of Corrections found.
