Economic Policy

John Birch-ers, Ron Paul-ites and loads of white folk at Gilbert's Constitution Week Fair.

When Revolution Meets Reality

Governor Symington says his massive tax cuts have brought prosperity to Arizona. Actually, they are bringing on a fiscal train wreck that could damage the state for decades.

The High Cost of Education Reform

The Symington administration touts market-based reform as a cure for Arizona's educational ills. Behind that rhetoric, state policies are driving public schools toward financial collapse.

No Sunset for Solar - Yet

Solar advisory council members get hot over Department of Commerce's effort to snuff their group

Fife's Myth

Symington's tax cuts had little or nothing to do with Arizona's economic boom, which isn't as robust as it's made out to be

Letters

Symington's tax cuts had little or nothing to do with Arizona's economic boom, which isn't as robust as it's made out to be

Reform Fitting but Unlikely

Symington's tax cuts had little or nothing to do with Arizona's economic boom, which isn't as robust as it's made out to be

Tax Rebels With a Cause

Symington's tax cuts had little or nothing to do with Arizona's economic boom, which isn't as robust as it's made out to be

Letters

Symington's tax cuts had little or nothing to do with Arizona's economic boom, which isn't as robust as it's made out to be

Budget Bonanza or Bust?

Discord between GOP lawmakers and the governor is just one reason the budget battle might get ugly.

Tax Breaks Thicker Than Thieves ... when industry sidles over for a handout

Discord between GOP lawmakers and the governor is just one reason the budget battle might get ugly.

Shafted Again

Mining industry strikes another rich vein in the Legislature

Hot Links: Mom leaves kid home alone; Fire destroys 100 California homes; Brown cloud is back

By Ray Stern Parent-of-the-year story in the Repub: Wasted mommy shows up at a daycare to pick up her 4-year-old daughter, but she had already driven the kid home hours before. Back at home, a neighbor finds the girl alone, eating Ovaltine powder from a can. Other news today: A wildfire in the Sant ... More >>

Dean Martin, State Treasurer, Takes Position Against State in Lawsuit by Cities

State Treasurer Dean Martin (at left) is named in a lawsuit against the state by a group of Arizona municipalities who don't want to pay millions of dollars in new fees. And Martin hopes he and the state will lose. The treasurer sent a letter today (reprinted below) to state Solicitor General Mary ... More >>

Jan Brewer: Herbert Hoover in High Heels and a Pantsuit

Separated at birth? According to economist Paul Krugman, it's possible. Will soon-to-be Arizona Governor Jan Brewer repeat the mistakes of Republicans in the midst of the Great Depression, specifically those of President Herbert Hoover?It seems likely. With a GOP-led legislature intent on "starv ... More >>

Hot Links: Dale Fushek Prosecution Loses Steam; Todd Haley to Coach Kansas City Chiefs; Hiker Falls to Death at Camelback Mountain

The sexual misconduct trial of former Catholic priest Dale Fushek is "cut off at the knees" after a judge rules he has the right to five separate trials for his six charges. Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley reportedly will leave to coach the Kansas City Chiefs -- that could be a huge blow ... More >>

Phoenix Suns Owner Robert Sarver -- Your Public Money at Play

Forget the expensive business conferences: The greatest example of government bailout excess may just be Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, whose banks have taken $140 million in Troubled Asset Relief Program funds.Yeah, it must be nice to be the CEO of a couple of banks that need massive public ... More >>

Obama Protesters Leave Signs Near Dobson High School in Mesa

PJ Standlee Anti-Obama signs line the sides of roads leading into Dobson High School where President Barack Obama will speak today. Opponents of the massive $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expressed their frustration with a small protest and signs on roads and intersection ... More >>

Governor Brewer's Campaign Manager: Too Many Spending Cuts May Mean Election Probs for Republicans; Says "Temporary" Tax Needed

An interesting little spat is brewing over at the right-wing Sonoran Alliance blog, where our favorite, furry whipping post, the anonymous "Chewie," has upset the elephant cart.Chewie has inside info, supposedly, that Governor Jan Brewer's campaign manager, lobbyist and public relations expert Chuck ... More >>

"Appearance of Evil" Requires Personal Sanctions Against County Attorney Andrew Thomas, Say County Supervisors

A conflict of interest between Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and the county Board of Supervisors over the investigation of a planned court tower creates the "appearance of evil," a judge has ruled.  Judge Gary Donahoe The background: In the midst of a feud with the County Superv ... More >>

Shirt Happens

Artist wears her heart on her plaster sleeve

A Currency Affair

Silly us. We thought the best coin joke was the Susan B Anthony dollar.

History of Deceit

Why should we approve this bond election when Phoenix City Hall has lied to us big-time in the past?

Elephant Slayer

Napolitano deftly played politics this legislative session to fend off all GOP foes

The "T" Word

State leaders can't stomach the truth -- Arizonans need to be taxed more, and right away!

Fiscal Fissure

Deep cuts proposed to state budget set up bleak future for Arizonans

PITCHING A SHUTOUTTHE PUBLIC WAS CUT OUT OF THE BASEBALL-STADIUM DEBATE BEFORE IT EVEN BEGAN

Deep cuts proposed to state budget set up bleak future for Arizonans

PROJECT FAT

TOUGH TIMES? NO MONEY FOR HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION? YOU'D BETTER SIT DOWN BEFORE YOU READ THIS.

Arizona Governor Wants New, "Sustainable" Model for Universities; Will Use Federal Money to Ease Tuition

Arizona needs a more affordable business model for its universities in the face of state budget realities, Governor Jan Brewer said this morning to the Arizona Board of Regents. In the short term, hundreds of millions of federal stimulus dollars will be used over the next co ... More >>

EPA Giving $82 Million in Stimulus Cash to Arizona for Water Projects

  Image: Wikimedia CommonsThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is directing $82 million in Recovery Act Funds to Arizona water projects. The money will "create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water and wastewater infrastructure and protect human health and the en ... More >>

Governor Brewer Keeps Up Offensive on Budget Bill

Governor Jan Brewer is keeping up the pressure on lawmakers today to send her a budget plan, calling a news conference this morning at 11 a.m. on the steps of the Arizona Supreme Court. Brewer told reporters yesterday she is asking the Supreme Court justices to force State Senate President Bob ... More >>

Obama's Economic Policies Moving Country in "Dangerous" Direction, Says ASU Business School

 A national health-care system won't work and will break the country's bank. The government is whittling away at free-market economics and over-regulating industries. Bailouts and stimulus packages will only prolong Americans' pain. Overspending must stop. Obama is taking us down the wrong ... More >>

Obama Mafia Asks Governor if She Supports Jon Kyl and Wants to Kiss Stimulus Money Goodbye

    www.mrrl.org Has Obama taken the role of Don Corleone? In Corleone fashion, top Obama officials made Arizona Governor Jan Brewer an offer she shouldn't refuse. They want her to back the President's stimulas plan, and if she doesn't and agrees with Senator Jon Kyl,&n ... More >>

Phoenix Getting $830,000 From Feds for Cleaner Diesel Engine Technology; Valley Air to Get Infinitesimally Cleaner

Image: Wikimedia CommonsJar of biodiesel fuel The city of Phoenix announced today it will receive $830,000 in federal stimulus funds to "reduce diesel emissions by retrofitting and replacing city-owned equipment." Forgive us if we don't stand up and cheer. This money, half of which the feds are b ... More >>

Senate Majority Whip Pam Gorman Resigns Post 'Cause of Republican Infighting

Arizona State Senator Pamela Gorman​If you can't beat em', quit. That's what one Arizona lawmaker chose to do today as the state budget battle wages on.Senate Majority Whip Pamela Gorman resigned her post in the Republican leadership in response to the party's support of a 1-cent-sales-tax i ... More >>

California Congressman Sticks Up for Our Bullied Governor Brewer

www.pe.com What happens when the Obama Administration picks on a Republican governor? Darrell Issa to the rescue!​ A California congressman has asked White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to answer to allegations that he attempted to bully our very own Governor Jan Brewer. In a scathing ... More >>

Legislature Enters Special Session Today; Maybe the Fourth Time's a Charm

​The Arizona State Legislature enters its fourth special session of the year today, with the hopes of ironing out a plan to put some sort of dent in the current $2 billion budget gap. Good luck. One thing will be absent from this round of bickering, however: The standard squabble over a propo ... More >>

A Statewide Sales Tax Hike for the Arts — In This Economy? Are They Insane?

​The Arizona State Legislature enters its fourth special session of the year today, with the hopes of ironing out a plan to put some sort of dent in the current $2 billion budget gap. Good luck. One thing will be absent from this round of bickering, however: The standard squabble over a propo ... More >>

Grover Norquist, Americans for Tax Reform President, Endorses McCain in Senate Primary; He Takes a Swipe at J.D. Hayworth, Too

American for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist​The president of the Conservative group, Americans for Tax Reform, gave Senator John McCain a ringing endorsement this week in his primary bid to fend off his GOP opponent, former congressman turned AM radio host, J.D. Hayworth.Grover Norquist says ... More >>

Doug Lingner's Getting Pushed Out of the Housing Authority of Maricopa County -- But His Resignation Isn't Enough to Solve the Agency's Problems

American for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist​The president of the Conservative group, Americans for Tax Reform, gave Senator John McCain a ringing endorsement this week in his primary bid to fend off his GOP opponent, former congressman turned AM radio host, J.D. Hayworth.Grover Norquist says ... More >>

"Joe the Plumber" Drops by State Capitol to Oppose Possible Sales-Tax Increase; When Asked Why He's Against it, "The Plumber" Dodges Question

www.inquisitr.com "Joe the Plumber" sealing his fate as a conservative icon by confronting then-presidential candidate Obama during the campaign. ​ Samuel Wurzelbacher, better known as "Joe the Plumber," the conservative icon from the 2008 presidential election, paid a visit to the state ca ... More >>

Tea Party T-Shirt: Can What You Wear Determine Whether You Can Go to the Polls?

www.inquisitr.com "Joe the Plumber" sealing his fate as a conservative icon by confronting then-presidential candidate Obama during the campaign. ​ Samuel Wurzelbacher, better known as "Joe the Plumber," the conservative icon from the 2008 presidential election, paid a visit to the state ca ... More >>

Owen "Buz" Mills "Suspends" Gubernatorial Campaign

Owen "Buz" Mills​Arizona Governor Jan Brewer's life got a little easier today with news that her last remaining opponent in the GOP primary for Governor, Owen "Buz" Mills, is suspending his campaign.Mills announced his decision to suspend his candidacy today saying the focus of the campaign was no ... More >>

Rodney Glassman: Put Off "Largest Middle-Class Tax Increase in History" -- Of Course, That's Only "Until the Economy Recovers"

​ Rodney Glassman, the young, rich, Democrat running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican John McCain, loves the tax cuts put into place by former President George W. Bush. It's surprising to hear any Dem praising a move by Bush, who still gets the credit by President Obama for today' ... More >>

Spokesman for Rodney Glassman Says Dem Senate Candidate Supports Making Bush-Era Tax Cuts for Middle Class Permanent

Rodney Glassman would make Bush-era tax cuts permanent, says his spokesman.​ Rodney Glassman, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, would make the Bush-era tax cuts permanent for the middle class, says his spokesman, Blake Morlock. The candidate's spokesman, Blake Morlock, called us after rea ... More >>

Morning Poll: Is $39 Million to Fix Arizona's Internet Access a Waste of Money?

www.pyzam.com​The state of Arizona managed to snag about 40 million Obama bucks to improve Internet access across the state as part of the federal stimulus package.GovNET Inc., a Scottsdale-based company, is the company pegged with the task of improving broadband access across the state with an e ... More >>

Under Jan Brewer's Fearless Leadership, Arizona Not Ranked Worst-Run State in Country -- Just Third Worst

​Arizona Governor Jan Brewer may think that she has "did what is right" for Arizona, but an independent analysis by the financial news Web site 24/7 Wall St. disagrees. The site has issued its "State of the States" rankings and Arizona has been ranked 48th on its list of well-run states.The rankin ... More >>

Greg Stanton, Phoenix Mayoral Candidate, Criticizes Opponent Wes Gullett for Advocating for Tax Increase for the Arts

​Former Councilman Greg Stanton, who is facing Wes Gullett in the November election for Phoenix mayor, is calling out his opponent for pledging to voters that he would champion a  tax increase to support the arts.Stanton calls himself a "strong and passionate" supporter of the arts, but says ... More >>

Del the Funky Homosapien @ Marquee Theatre

​Former Councilman Greg Stanton, who is facing Wes Gullett in the November election for Phoenix mayor, is calling out his opponent for pledging to voters that he would champion a  tax increase to support the arts.Stanton calls himself a "strong and passionate" supporter of the arts, but says ... More >>

El Mirage Officials Snub City's Only Gas Station, Take Business to Neighboring Cities

​El Mirage city officials, cops and firefighters filled up their gas tanks at the city's only gas station for more than a year and a half without any qualms about the fuel prices.That's back when Joe David, the shop owner, was a political ally.But now that David started opposing a proposed propert ... More >>