Arizona's April jobs report will confirm the huge jump in unemployment. The Economic Policy Institute estimates by July that Arizona's unemployment rate will hit 15.7% with 560,000 Arizonans out of work, up from 160,000 in February Read more»

An often-asked political question by State Capitol observers these days: what will Gov. Doug Ducey do when his current, final term in office is over? What's his next dream job? Read more»

The Grand Canyon Institute, a centrist Phoenix think tank, said the minimum-wage increase proposed in Prop. 206 could result in from zero to 26,000 lost jobs by 2020. Arizona is adding about 15,000 jobs each quarter, which would more than make up the difference, economic analysts said. Read more» 1

It's nearly time for a February tradition, when auditors publish a report on Arizona school districts, and the press declares too much is spent on bloated "administration" that should instead go into classrooms. It's a festival of dyscalculia, celebrating journalists' ignorance of basic math under deadline pressure and politicos' skill at lying with statistics. Read more» 1

Glaring headlines about Arizona's public worker retirement system suggest that your typical retired teacher, firefighter or police officer is sipping margaritas on a beach somewhere enjoying a six-figure pension. Meanwhile the state's pension funds are running out of money, leaving you, the taxpayer, stuck with the bill. Read more»

Arizona’s public pension systems for state employees, public safety personnel and corrections officers are on a path toward financial stability, according to a study by a bipartisan think tank. Despite having funding to meet 71.6 percent of pension obligations — a gap of $14.5 billion — reforms enacted in 2011 have curtailed the growth of future liabilities, according to the Grand Canyon Institute. Read more»

Tucson Realtor Raj Kohli provided an update on Tucson's real estate market. Also,documentary filmmaker Daniel Buckley talked about his new film on Tucson's mariachis. Next, we chatted with George Cunningham, former state lawmaker and founder/chair of the Grand Canyon Institute. Plus, nutrition reporter Jack Challem discussed new research on Omega 3 fish oils. Read more»

A report by the Grand Canyon Institute raises concerns about how Gov. Jan Brewer's plan to simplify Arizona’s sales tax system handles construction materials. It says taxing materials where they are purchased rather than used, would cut revenue for growing cities. Read more»

Gov. Jan Brewer made the prudent fiscal and economic choice by calling for Medicaid expansion. Now the Legislature needs to act. The math is clear. If you had the option of investing $1,650 and getting back $16,000, wouldn't you do it? Based on AHCCCS estimates, that's Arizona's Medicaid expansion deal. Read more» 1

Pima County Democrats applaud Governor Brewer's decision to support the expanded Medicaid provisions of the Affordable Care Act. As the governor finally acknowledged, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land and "Now, our dtate's elected leaders have a duty to do what's best for Arizona." Read more»

Gov. Brewer's sales tax plan undercuts revenues for communities that are growing, and could reduce total state revenues. Better data is needed, so the fiscal impact is better known. Read more»

Mary Davis of Tucson International Airport previewed the busy Thanksgiving travel season. Then, Grand Canyon Institute fellow Dr. Karen Smith broke down her study on how Arizona farmers can improve yields with less water, plus: Guy Gelbart, director of the Tucson-based Israel Center. Read more»

Under the Affordable Care Act of 2010, expanding Medicaid eligibility would boost Arizona's economy and add jobs, according to the nonprofit Grand Canyon Institute. The group held a news conference Wednesday to discuss a report detailing three options for Medicaid under the federal health care law. Read more»

Today on Buckmaster - Pima County Supervisors' Chairman Ramon Valadez, Buckmaster Show historian Ken Scoville, and Dave Wells of the Grand Canyon Institute. Read more»