Despite the evergreen temptation to involve itself in the market, the government should resist the gold shovels and oversized scissors and commit themselves to the difficult and mundane work of improving government functions for all.

Sen. Bob Worsley, a Republican from Mesa, is the Arizona Capitol Times’ Leaders of the Year winner in government. Other winners include Gregory Harris of Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie for law, Richard Stavneak, director of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, for unsung hero, and NAU President Rita Cheng.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is headed to the United Kingdom for a series of economic development meetings and to meet with tourism industry representatives at an Arizona Cardinals football game outside London.

Republican Rep. Becky Nutt of Clifton is a self-proclaimed “boonie woman” who lives on a homestead ranch deep in rural eastern Arizona. But she also has a more refined side.

Arizona political leaders like John Rhodes and Sandra Day O’Connor tackled far-reaching complex issues to set Arizona on a path of prosperity. The long-term planning that helped establish the Central Arizona Project and judicial reform are what Arizonans are urging elected and business leaders to embrace for government finance.

A California startup will build a $700 million plant in Casa Grande to manufacture luxury electric vehicles.

Ducey proposes economic development overhaul

A proposed overhaul of the Arizona Commerce Authority by Gov. Doug Ducey will help set the stage for future reductions in regulations and taxes that are deemed to put Arizona at an economic disadvantage.

Chris Camacho’s road to Arizona began when he randomly sat next to Yuma’s economic development coordinator at a 2003 conference in his hometown of St. Louis.

Municipal officials are hoping to get a new economic development tool next legislative session while avoiding comparisons to the oft-maligned system known as tax increment financing.