The Common Sense Institute (CSI) Arizona, in collaboration with the Arizona Chamber Foundation, has released its latest . The analysis highlights the potential economic damage from proposed legislation in Arizona.

Why it matters:  

The report identifies 72 bills from the 2024 legislative session that would have posed significant risks to Arizona’s business environment and economic growth. Of these, 20 have measurable impacts based on similar legislation in other states, while the other 52 are so new that their effects are difficult to estimate.

Key Findings:

– $37.2 billion+: Potential economic loss if all “job killers” were enacted.

– 540,000 jobs: Estimated job losses due to new costs and regulatory burdens these bills would’ve imposed.

– 16 enacted “job killers”: Colorado has passed similar bills, resulting in slower economic growth over the past five years. 

– $9.5 billion: Economic growth Arizona could have lost over five years if it followed Colorado’s policies.

The big picture:  

These bills could have led to substantial tax increases, legal and administrative burdens, labor cost hikes, and stringent environmental regulations, all of which would have hindered Arizona’s economic progress.

What they’re saying:  

Glenn Farley, CSI director of policy and research: “The findings in this report serve as a warning. Even a few of these proposals could dramatically change Arizona’s growth trajectory. We need to prioritize policies that foster economic prosperity.”

Danny Seiden, president & CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry: “The ‘Job Killers’ report is a reminder of the dangers of misguided legislation. Arizona’s future relies on resisting harmful regulations and maintaining a business-friendly environment that supports innovation, investment, and job creation.”

The bottom line:  

As other states continue to enact similar policies, this report underscores the importance of safeguarding Arizona’s status as a high-growth state by rejecting legislation that could undermine the state’s economic competitiveness. 

The post Proposed legislation could have jeopardized Arizona’s economy, new report warns appeared first on 91ֱ��.

Brooks Rehabilitation, a national leader in treating patients recovering from life-altering brain and spinal cord injuries, strokes, and other complex conditions, announced its expansion into Arizona with the opening of a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital on Mayo Clinic’s Phoenix campus. 

This partnership marks Brooks Rehabilitation’s first facility outside of Florida, where it has been recognized as the No. 1 rehabilitation hospital by U.S. News & World Report.

Project Overview

The new rehabilitation hospital will be located on eight acres adjacent to Mayo Clinic’s Phoenix hospital, near Arizona State University Health Futures Center.

The $70 million facility will feature a three-story, 80,000-square-foot hospital and 60 private patient rooms with the potential for future expansion.

Construction starts in December 2024 and is scheduled to open in summer 2026.

The project is expected to create over 200 jobs in the Phoenix market once fully operational.

Strategic Partnership

This expansion builds on the strong collaborative relationship between Brooks Rehabilitation and Mayo Clinic, particularly their successful partnership in Jacksonville, Florida. The new facility will integrate Brooks Rehabilitation’s expert care with Mayo Clinic’s renowned medical services to provide comprehensive, high-quality rehabilitation care for patients with complex needs.

Doug Baer, President & CEO of Brooks Rehabilitation, said, “Brooks Rehabilitation is honored to join with Mayo Clinic to expand patient care and services in Arizona. Our mission is to empower people to achieve their highest level of recovery and participation in life through excellence in rehabilitation.”

Dr. Richard Gray, CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona, also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “Brooks Rehabilitation’s proven ability to meet the complex rehabilitation needs of our patients makes them an ideal partner as we continue to enhance our services in Phoenix.”

The post Brooks Rehabilitation expands to Arizona with new facility at Mayo Clinic’s Phoenix Campus appeared first on 91ֱ��.

Tuesday was Primary Election Day in Arizona, and while votes in close races are still being counted, most matchups for the November election are now set. 

Federal

• The race to fill the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by Kyrsten Sinema (I) is set, with Kari Lake securing the Republican nomination to face Rep. Ruben Gallego, the Democratic contender, in November.
  
• In a three-way Democratic primary to fill the vacancy left by Gallego in the Third Congressional District, Democrat Yassamin Ansari leads Raquel Terán.
  
• Republican Abraham Hamadeh secured a victory in a six-way Republican primary for the West Valley Congressional District 8 after current Rep. Debbie Lesko (R) announced she would not seek reelection and instead run for Maricopa County supervisor.
  
• Incumbent Republican Congressmen David Schweikert and Juan Ciscomani easily defeated their primary opponents. Schweikert is likely to face Democrat Dr. Amish Shah, a former state legislator who on Wednesday morning was leading his own six-way primary, while Ciscomani is set for a rematch against Democrat Kirsten Engel, whom he narrowly defeated in 2022. These two races are expected to be among the most closely watched in November. 

Notable state legislative races

• Senate District 1: In the GOP primary, Mark Finchem, a former lawmaker, bested incumbent Sen. Ken Bennett.
  
• Legislative District 7: Sen. Wendy Rogers outpaced challenger David Cook to secure her state Senate seat. In the district’s six-way Republican primary battle for the House, incumbent Rep. David Marshall and former lawmaker Walt Blackman came out on top to advance to the general election.
  
• Senate District 9: Republican Robert Scantlebury won his primary and will face Sen. Eva Burch in November, a rematch from 2022.
  
• Senate District 17: Republican state Sen. Justine Wadsack trails challenger Vince Leach, a former lawmaker whom Wadsack defeated in 2022. Leach received strong support from the business community.

Maricopa County

• Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell cruised to victory against her primary opponent.
  
• Lesko, who decided not to seek reelection to Congress and instead pursue a West Valley county supervisor seat, easily won her primary, as did incumbent Scottsdale-area Supervisor Thomas Galvin.  

The business community view

As of Wednesday morning, nearly 50 candidates endorsed by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry are poised to appear on the November ballot.

“Congratulations to the winners of last night’s primary election. Arizona Chamber-endorsed candidates had a great night,” Chamber President and CEO Danny Seiden said. “Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and Maricopa County Supervisor Tom Galvin won big, and at the legislative level we are pleased that strong, pro-business candidates saw wins across the state, from Pima County to Mohave County. As we enter the general election, the Chamber will continue to back candidates from both parties who support commonsense policies to create jobs and grow Arizona’s economy.”

The post With primary complete, November general election matchups set appeared first on 91ֱ��.

A labor union-affiliated activist group called Worker Power is attempting to secure a spot for an initiative on the fall ballot in Glendale that business groups say would jeopardize thousands of tourism jobs in that city.

City refuses petitions

The Glendale City Clerk refused to accept the group’s petitions to place this measure on the ballot due to the proposal’s violation of the state constitution’s provision that citizen initiatives must be limited to a single subject. That constraint is due to voters’ passage of Proposition 129 in 2022. Prior to the passage of the 2022 measure, a single subject only applied to ballot questions that sought to amend the state constitution. 

The Worker Power group is suing the city over the decision to refuse the petition.

What the initiative would do

• Mandated Wage: Hotel and event center workers would be paid at least $20 per hour, with the wage increased annually depending on changes in the cost of living. 
• Limits on square footage: The amount of square footage a room attendant can clean in a workday would be capped. If the worker exceeds that amount, their pay is doubled for the day.
• Recordkeeping: Hoteliers will have to keep three years’ worth of detailed records of room attendants’ work history, including which rooms the worker cleaned and the amount of square footage. 
• Service charges: If a hotel or event center collects service charges, those funds must be distributed directly to the worker who performed the service for which those fees were collected. Hoteliers could not use service charges to raise the base level of pay for all workers. 
• Wage investigators: The Glendale city government would have to establish a new department to investigate employers and conduct studies of workers.

Potential consequences

Business community stakeholders say if the measure were to pass that the city would be forced either to reduce services like public safety or raise taxes to establish the new labor office that is required under the initiative. 

Hoteliers would also have to face the decision between raising room rates or cutting jobs in order to afford these new regulations. 

The increased rates would make Glendale less attractive to travelers and meeting and convention planners. 

Business groups support city position

Business groups have filed briefs with the trial court in support of the city clerk’s decision to refuse the petitions on the grounds that the proposal violates the single subject rule.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry says, “The Initiative is the poster child of log-rolling… It lumps numerous, unrelated provisions into a single initiative which will force voters to support or oppose it, even though they may agree or disagree with some parts of it… This Court should uphold the City Clerk’s rejection of the Initiative.”

The Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and the American Hotel Lodging Association filed a joint brief. Those groups said, “The Minimum Wage Act is an unconstitutional hodgepodge of burdensome regulations, from minimum-wage increases, to limits on working hours, to the establishment of an entirely new bureaucratic department, and more. Faced with this sort of constitutionally infirm ballot initiative, the City Clerk had both the authority and the obligation to reject it.” 

Decision soon

A decision on whether the measure will appear on the ballot is expected by Friday. The losing party could choose to appeal the decision.

The post Business groups warn that proposed Glendale ballot initiative will cost jobs appeared first on 91ֱ��.

Maricopa County voters in November will vote on Proposition 486 and decide whether the expenditure limit for the Maricopa County Community College District should be raised.

Current law 

In 1980, Arizona voters established an expenditure limit to restrict how much a community college district, including Maricopa Community Colleges, can spend, even if funding is available. 

• The expenditure limit for Arizona community colleges is calculated each year based on veteran expenditures in 1979-80 multiplied by factors for inflation and enrollment. 
• The current base limit sits just above $52 million. 
• A community college district that exceeds its expenditure limitation is subject to penalties based on the percentage of the excess expenditures.

The proposed change 

Proposition 486 will permanently adjust the base on which the expenditure limit is calculated from approximately $52 million to roughly $105 million. 

• Adjusting the base limit will allow the community colleges to use their existing budget without penalty. 
• This adjustment will account for increases in workforce programs, technology infrastructure, career and technical education (CTE), non-credit training, baccalaureate degrees, and programs that serve high school students.

“It’s important to remember that Proposition 486 isn’t a request for additional funding or for increased taxes,” said Courtney Coolidge, vice president of government affairs for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, which is supporting the measure. “It simply allows Maricopa Community Colleges to continue supporting students with a top-notch education without having to cut $100 million out of the system budget.”

The business community view 

The Chamber submitted a statement supporting Proposition 486 for the publicity pamphlet that contains arguments for and against the measure that will be mailed to voters before the election.

“The Maricopa Community College District (MCCCD) plays a crucial role in meeting the needs of our diverse and growing workforce. As one of the top employers in the region, MCCCD supported 108,295 jobs in the 2021-2022 fiscal year alone. It also contributed $7.9 billion in income to the Maricopa County economy, equivalent to 2.3% of the county’s total gross regional product,” the Chamber said. “Prop. 486 will allow Maricopa County’s community colleges to access the necessary funds needed to meet growing demand without imposing additional taxes on residents.”

The post Maricopa County voters to decide whether expenditure limits for Maricopa Community Colleges should be increased appeared first on 91ֱ��.

The Arizona Manufacturers Council (AMC) will honor manufacturers on October 9 at the, which will be attended by business and community leaders, elected officials, manufacturing experts, educators and more.

The AMC awards luncheon will recognize dynamic leaders from Arizona’s manufacturing community with the following awards:

• Small Manufacturer of the Year
• Medium Manufacturer of the Year
• Large Manufacturer of the Year
• Excellence in Sustainability
• Excellence in Innovation
• Champion of the Year

Nominations can be submitted. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, August 9. All are encouraged to participate in this process.

October is Manufacturing Month. In addition to the summit and awards luncheon, the AMC will celebrate manufacturers with the 2024 Made in Arizona Tour and our second annual “Hottest Thing Made in Arizona” contest, which celebrates the state’s vibrant and innovative manufacturing community by inviting people to nominate their favorite Arizona-made products.

Last year’s Manufacturer of the Year honorees were:

• Small Manufacturer of the Year: Pilgrim Aerospace Fasteners 
• Medium Manufacturer of the Year: MD Helicopters
• Large Manufacturer of the Year: Norththrop Grumman
• Excellence in Innovation: NXP Semiconductors 
• Excellence in Sustainability: PepsiCo, Inc.
• Manufacturing Champion of the Year: Town of Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley

For more information on Manufacturing Month and the AMC’s activities, contact Grace Appelbe (gappelbe@azchamber.com).

The post Arizona Manufacturers Council Accepts Nominees for Manufacturer of the Year Award appeared first on 91ֱ��.

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge on Monday ruled that attempts by Phoenix and Tucson to establish prevailing wage ordinances for public works projects violated state law.

Attorneys from the Goldwater Institute successfully argued on behalf of the Associated General Contractors (AZAGC), the Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA), and the Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona (AMCA).

Prevailing wage laws: Rather than allowing contractors to negotiate agreements with workers to determine what a job will pay, prevailing wage laws require contractors on city projects to meet standards determined by the U.S. Department of Labor based on the typical payment for different worker groups in the region. 

Opponents to the ordinances argued that the cities were in violation of state law that bans municipalities from adopting prevailing wage laws.

The challenge 

The plaintiffs argued that municipal prevailing wage laws violate a 1984 law that specifically prohibited prevailing wage mandates. 

The cities, relying on an opinion by Attorney General Kris Mayes, argued that a 2006 ballot measure passed by voters to raise the statewide minimum wage and to permit cities to adopt their own minimum wage essentially overturned the 1984 law. 

The outcome

Judge Bradley Astrowsky ruled that the minimum wage law adopted by voters has no bearing on the existing law banning municipal prevailing wage ordinances.

“A prevailing wage ordinance is not a minimum wage law, and the Minimum Wage Law did not impliedly repeal the prevailing wage prohibition because the two laws can be harmonized by ‘reasonable construction,’” Astrowsky .

Astrowsky drew a further distinction between minimum wage and prevailing wage, writing, “They have fundamentally different underlying policy goals. Moreover, unlike minimum wage laws, which set a single, across-the-board floor on wages, prevailing wage measures impose a complex, fluctuating schedule of wage standards (determined by federal law and regulation) meant to approximate average wages for specific occupations and localities.”

Reaction

The AZAGC cheered the decision.

“We are thrilled with the court’s decision, which upholds the principles of a free market and removes unnecessary burdens from contractors,” AZAGC President David Martin . “We encourage the City of Phoenix and the City of Tucson to accept this ruling and avoid further wasting taxpayer money on appeals.”

Goldwater Institute Vice President for Legal Affairs Timothy Sandefur the decision “a victory for Arizona taxpayers—who deserve to have public works projects run as closely as possible to true market conditions, instead of having their costs decreed by politicians in order to benefit their political friends. It’s also a win for workers themselves, who deserve to do work in a competitive environment where wages are based on merit, instead of political dictate.”

Phoenix City Councilwoman Betty Guardado she was “deeply disappointed by the Maricopa County Superior Court’s decision to deny the city the right to ensure those working within its purview receive fair living wages, improved benefits, and safer working conditions.”

Broader implications

The defeat of the Phoenix and Tucson ordinances may deter other Arizona cities from pursuing similar legislation. Tempe has flirted with establishing its own prevailing wage ordinance.

For its part, Phoenix is “exploring potential next steps” according to a statement by Mayor Kate Gallego.

The post Court rejects Phoenix and Tucson prevailing wage ordinances appeared first on 91ֱ��.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Greater Phoenix Chamber have released their legislative endorsements for next month’s primary election.

Arizona Chamber

The Arizona Chamber endorsed a bipartisan slate of 44 pro-business candidates committed to keeping Arizona’s economy competitive and growing. 

“The Chamber is proud to endorse a bipartisan slate of candidates who will be strong champions for job-creating policies that will drive economic growth and further advance Arizona’s competitive position on the global stage,” Arizona Chamber President and CEO Danny Seiden said. “These candidates represent a mix of incumbents who have already demonstrated a commitment to pursuing policies that align with the priorities of Arizona’s business community, as well as several new challengers who we believe bring the experience, leadership qualities, and character needed to cut through the partisan noise to achieve meaningful progress for Arizona.”

The Chamber maintains a rigorous process for supporting individuals seeking legislative office. 

Incumbent candidates were evaluated on their previous voting record while challenger candidates were asked to complete a questionnaire about their policy positions prior to interviewing with members of the Chamber Political Affairs Committee (PAC). The PAC then recommends candidates to the board of directors, which makes the final endorsement decisions.

Arizona Chamber state Senate endorsements

Ken Bennett (LD1)
Shawnna Bolick (LD2)
John Kavanagh (LD3)
Carine Werner (LD4)
Catherine Miranda (LD11)
J.D. Mesnard (LD13)
Warren Petersen (LD14)
T.J. Shope (LD16)
Vince Leach (LD17)
David Gowan (LD19)
Brian Fernandez (LD23)
Tim Dunn (LD25)
Flavio Bravo (LD26)
Kevin Payne (LD27)
Frank Carroll (LD28)
Janae Shamp (LD29)
Hildy Angius (LD30)

Arizona Chamber state House endorsements

Quang Nguyen (LD1)
Selina Bliss (LD1)
Justin Wilmeth (LD2)
Ari Bradshaw (LD2)
Matt Gress (LD4)
Janeen Connolly (LD8)
Seth Blattman (LD9)
Matt Greer (LD10)
Izaak Ruiz (LD11)
Julie Willoughby (LD13)
Jeff Weninger (LD13)
Lalani Hunsaker (LD14)
Teresa Martinez (LD16)
Chris Lopez (LD16)
Lupe Diaz (LD19)
Gail Griffin (LD19)
Alma Hernandez (LD20)
Consuelo Hernandez (LD21)
Michele Peña (LD23)
Lydia Hernandez (LD24)
Michael Carbone (LD25)
Tony Rivero (LD27)
David Livingston (LD28)
Beverly Pingerelli (LD28)
Steve Montenegro (LD29)
Leo Biasiucci (LD30)
John Gillette (LD30)

Greater Phoenix Chamber 

The Greater Phoenix Chamber PAC has endorsed 45 candidates for the Arizona Legislature. 

“As we have done for over 40 years, the Greater Phoenix Chamber Political Action Committee is once again proud to support pro-business candidates for state and local offices regardless of political party affiliation,” Chamber PAC Chair John Moody said. “It is absolutely critical we support and help elect lawmakers who understand the issues impacting the success of businesses and who will work collaboratively to advance and protect policies supporting our Arizona businesses. This will allow for a prosperous economy in the Greater Phoenix region and throughout the state of Arizona.”

As Arizona’s primary election approaches, these endorsements from key business organizations reflect a strategic effort to shape a legislative landscape that supports economic growth and prosperity for the state.

Greater Phoenix Chamber state Senate endorsements 

Ken Bennett (LD1)
Shawnna Bolick (LD2)
John Kavanagh (LD3)
Lela Alston (LD5)
J.D. Mesnard (LD13)
Warren Petersen (LD14)
T.J. Shope (LD16)
Venden “Vince” Leach (LD17)
David Gowan (LD19)
Tim Dunn (LD25)
Flavio Bravo (LD26)
Kevin Payne (LD27)
Frank Carroll (LD28)
Janae Shamp (LD29)
Hildy Angius (LD30)

Greater Phoenix Chamber state House endorsements 

Selina Bliss (LD1)
Quang Nguyen (LD1)
Justin Wilmeth (LD2)
Ari Bradshaw (LD2)
Matthew Gress (LD4)
Walter “Walt” Blackman (LD7)
Janeen Connolly (LD8)
Seth Blattman (LD9)
Kylie Barber (LD9)
Matt Greer (LD10)
Izaak Ruiz (LD11)
Julie Willoughby (LD13)
Jeff Weninger (LD13)
Lalani Hunsaker (LD14)
Teresa Martinez (LD16)
Chris Lopez (LD16)
Lupe Diaz (LD19)
Gail Griffin (LD19)
Alma Hernandez (LD20)
Consuelo Hernandez (LD21)
Lupe Contreras (LD22)
Michele Pena (LD23)
Lydia Hernandez (LD24)
Michael Carbone (LD25)
Tony Rivero (LD27)
David Livingston (LD28)
Steve Montenegro (LD29)
James Taylor (LD29)
Leo Biasiucci (LD30)
John Gillette (LD30)

The post Business groups announce endorsements for state Legislature ahead of primary election appeared first on 91ֱ��.