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Unemployment rate up slightly, ‘quits’ rate decreases
There may be some signs in Arizona that the efforts by the Federal Reserve Board to cool the economy and bring down inflation with higher interest rates are working. New figures Thursday show the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate hit 4.0% in September, an increase of two-tenths of a point.
Biden administration cancels loans for former Ashford U. students, with plans to recoup costs
The Biden administration is canceling $72 million in student loans for 2,300 borrowers who say they were cheated by Ashford University, a former for-profit college that was purchased by the University of Arizona in 2020.
Latest student debt-relief plan could mean $1 billion for 20,000 in Arizona
More than 20,000 Arizona residents would see $1 billion in student debt erased under a Biden administration plan unveiled just two weeks after the Supreme Court struck down a previous debt-forgiveness plan.
Bill to lower cost, time needed to become cosmetologist shows good bipartisanship
HB2525, sponsored by Rep. Laurin Hendrix, R-Gilbert, and signed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, creates an alternative pathway via apprenticeship programs, which provide a debt-free alternative to traditional beauty school by allowing students to learn on the job while earning a wage.
Stop triple-digit interest rates for good
Back in 2008, Arizonans voted 2:1 to stop payday lending in our state. Ever since the payday lender’s defeat at the ballot box, the industry has heavily lobbied to reinstate triple-digit interest rates.
Lenders offer charity help in return for high interest rates
In a last-minute bid for votes, the consumer lending industry is offering to give some undetermined share of its profits to charities in exchange for being given the legal right to make loans with monthly interest rates up to 15 percent.
McCune Davis pushes for curbs on title lending industry
Rep. Debbie McCune Davis, D-Phoenix, said the triple-digit interest rates that are charged to consumers are as abusive as those which were charged by now-defunct firms that gave short-term loans based on a promise to repay.
There is no financial freedom or justice with payday loans
There is no financial freedom or justice with payday loans. Instead these financial bottom feeders prey upon people with the fewest financial resources.
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.
Regulators propose phase-in for big water rate increases
Some Arizonans, especially those in rural areas, face having their water bills dramatically increase when providers need to finance infrastructure improvements.
Arizona earns a B on report card for financial literacy requirements
Arizona got a B on a recent national report card that graded states for their efforts to improve financial literacy in high schools.
US House OKs bill lowering student loans; some worry about long-term impact
The House on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that would retroactively lower interest rates on federal student loans, which doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent after Congress failed to act before July 1.
