More dollars for science
Universities’ request for research money could split GOP lawmakers
The state universities’ $1 billion request to upgrade research labs promises to bring fireworks to the Legislature and possibly a split among GOP lawmakers while wounds from last session’s Medicaid expansion are still fresh.
Report: Arizona saw nation’s largest in-state tuition hikes
Arizona’s four-year public universities had the nation’s largest in-state tuition and fees increase over the past five years, according the nonprofit organization that oversees the SAT.
Arizona finishes 12th in national ranking on energy-efficiency policies
WASHINGTON – Arizona is the 12th-most energy-efficient state in the nation this year, the same position the state held last year, according to rankings released Wednesday by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
Q&A: Hal Quinn President and CEO, National Mining Association
As chief lobbyist of the National Mining Association, it falls on Hal Quinn, the group’s president and CEO, to promote his industry. That means defending coal mines and, ultimately, America’s reliance on the fuel source to power homes and businesses.
Arizona business groups in Washington lobby for immigration reform
Arizona business leaders were in Washington to lobby the state’s congressional delegation on immigration reform Tuesday, just the latest in a string of groups trying to pressure Congress on the issue.
Forget apps: In Congress, there’s a caucus for that, and Arizonans join up
WASHINGTON – Shipbuilding may not seem like a vital issue for arid, landlocked Arizona, but Rep. Trent Franks, R-Glendale, joined the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus – along with 23 other caucuses and working groups.
With Napolitano out, Arizonans are wary of new Homeland Security chief
When former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano stepped down as the Department of Homeland Security secretary in August, the reaction from policymakers along Arizona’s border with Mexico was mixed.
Some panel members say Arizona’s income tax system is fine after all
Members of a panel tasked with studying Arizona’s personal income tax system said that while flattening or doing away with the income tax may be a popular talking point, the state’s current system is reasonably fair and may not need a major overhaul.
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.
Visa backlog from shutdown could cause shortage of farm labor
This month’s federal government shutdown caused a backup in seasonal farmworkers’ visa applications that some groups say could lead to a labor shortage during the coming winter vegetable harvest.
Tusayan mayor criticizes Park Service for closing Grand Canyon, other parks
Tusayan Mayor Greg Bryan told House lawmakers Wednesday that closing Grand Canyon National Park has devastated his town’s economy, and he criticized federal government officials for not acting sooner to reopen it.
Lew warns of debt-limit catastrophe; Schweikert says that’s not so
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew warned Thursday of a “potentially catastrophic” hit to the economy if the nation reaches the debt limit next week and defaults on its obligations.