by Matthew Holloway | Jul 8, 2025 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Although the causes are attributed to various factors by different sources, largely dependent on political leanings, one irrefutable fact emerged on Monday. During Governor Katie Hobbs’ tenure, Arizona has plunged from a ranking of 4th place in the nation in job growth, to 47th.
On Monday, Russ Wiles, writing for the Arizona Republic noted, “AZ no longer ranks near the top for job creation,” and asked rhetorically, “What went wrong?”
Citing figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Republic reported that Arizona now ranks in 47th place among the fifty states, just ahead of Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Iowa. The report cited a net loss of 1,900 jobs year-to-date in 2025.
In 2020, at the height of the first Trump Administration and under former Gov. Doug Ducey’s tenure, Arizona ranked third in the nation for economic momentum.
In 2019, the Phoenix Metro area even beat out the largest cities in California, Texas, and Florida to take the #1 slot for job growth.
More recently, in a March 2024 statement, Hobbs touted that Arizona ranked 4th in job growth, and tripled the national average in workforce growth. In the pronouncement, which has aged quite poorly, the governor even dubbed herself “Governor Katie Jobbs,” and credited the “81,800 jobs created,” to “investments in housing, healthcare, infrastructure, childcare, and education.”
Meanwhile, a Goldwater Institute op-ed in January, predicting an acrimonious budget battle that materialized over the next five months, pointed out Hobbs’ askew priorities. While the beleaguered Democrat focused on defeating Arizona’s popular Empowerment Scholarship Account program (ESA) and presided over a surge in crime, her failure to account for $800 million in statutorily required Medicaid spending and an affordable housing crisis represented “fiscal mismanagement at its worst.”
AZCentral’s Russ Wiles, in working to answer “What went wrong?” addressed one factor in the decline as “slowing migration, with fewer people moving here from other states,” which dovetails with the affordable housing issue and the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) rule cracking down on new developments.
Lee McPheters, director of the Economic Outlook Center for Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business, noted to the outlet, “With domestic migration trending down and international migration dropping off a cliff in 2025, the impetus for population growth has diminished and undoubtedly plays a role here.”
In May, Goldwater launched a legal battle against the Hobbs administration over the ADWR’s controversial new rule imposing the requirement of a 100-year “unmet demand” groundwater supply rule across wide swaths of the state, essentially choking out new housing development.
In addition, as Wiles notes, construction employment has been further weakened by rising material costs, with overall job growth stunted by tariff uncertainty and high interest rates.
Large scale layoffs, such as Nikola Corp.’s 855 jobs lost to its February bankruptcy and Joann Fabrics’ layoffs of 374 employees in January, also factored in heavily. While not directly attributable to Hobbs’ actions, the losses drew a spotlight to a lack of decisive action from Hobbs to attract new employers to Arizona in the short term.
Another factor, unmarked by AZCentral however, has been the $1.6 billion deficit under Hobbs which forced budget cuts, including Department of Economic Security layoffs that directly contributed to the 1,900 net job loss. As Common Sense Institute of Arizona (CSIAZ) explained in June, rather than being caused by Arizona’s flat tax, the shortfall was caused by a massive increase in spending under Hobbs.
“If spending had followed historical trends, Arizona would have had a $4.3 billion surplus rather than a $1.6 billion cash shortfall last year,” CSIAZ wrote.
Hobbs’ vetoes could present the most egregious contribution she’s made. By vetoing 178 total bills in 2025, 73 in 2024, and 143 in 2023, totaling 424 to date, or approximately a third of all bills sent to her desk, Hobbs has prevented the implementation of a comprehensive policy for economic growth from either her administration or Republican leaders in the state legislature from materializing.
Ultimately, Hobbs’ unwillingness to work productively with Republican lawmakers and her active obstruction of legislation to reduce tax burdens, ease regulation, and stimulate job growth may have proven to be as prominent in Arizona economics as it has been in politics. And as prominent Democratic President Harry Truman famously said, “The buck stops here.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Ethan Faverino | Jul 8, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, supported by all Arizona’s Republican representatives, was signed on Friday, July 4th. The bill provides the largest tax relief in American history.
Among the bill’s most impactful provisions are no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security benefits.
These policies are designed to put more money back into the pockets of the hard-working American people.
The “No Tax on Tips” provision offers a new deduction of up to $25,000 for workers in tipped industries. Whether tips are received in cash, by charge, or through tip-sharing arrangements, employees will keep more of their hard-earned income.
This measure is expected to save tipped workers nearly $2,000 annually, providing direct financial relief to millions of Americans in these critical industries.
The bill also eliminates taxes on overtime pay. This guarantees that workers who put in extra hours are rewarded greatly with bigger paychecks. This, as well, could also save Americans on average $2,000 a year.
According to a new study from the Council of Economic Advisers, 88% (48 million) of American seniors receiving Social Security will pay no taxes on their Social Security income.
For a single senior receiving the average retirement of $24,000 annually, deductions will exceed their taxable Social Security income. Similarly, married seniors with a combined Social Security income of $48,000 will also see their deductions surpass taxable income.
The One Big Beautiful Bill also delivers an average 15% tax cut for Americans earning between $15,000 and $80,000, significantly boosting take-home pay.
For a typical family with two children, this translates to an increase of up to $10,900 per year in after-tax income. The bill also boosts the standard tax deduction, raising it to $23,625 for married couples and $15,750 for singles, a benefit utilized by 91% of taxpayers.
According to the Council of Economic Advisers, the One Big Beautiful Bill will drive significant growth and fiscal stability. This includes:
- Real wages increasing by up to $7,200 per year
- Real Investment growing by as much as 10%
- Creation of protection of 7 million jobs
- Deficit reduction of up to $11.1 trillion, driven by $5.2 trillion from economic growth, $2.8 trillion from tariff revenue, $1.6 trillion from discretionary spending cuts, and $1.5 trillion from interest savings.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jul 8, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Attending a Phoenix Suns game will cost fans more than nearly any other NBA team, according to a new study analyzing average ticket prices across the league. The Suns rank eighth on the list, with an average ticket price of $172.
The analysis, conducted by betting tips provider Spelcash using data from SeatGeek, evaluated the average cost of attending a game for each team. While Phoenix fans may be feeling the pinch, they’re not alone — several teams are charging significantly more, with the Los Angeles Lakers topping the chart at an average of $365.75 per ticket.
That figure is 31% higher than the second-place Golden State Warriors ($279.47), and a staggering 146% higher than the league-wide average of $148.42.
The top five most expensive teams include:
1. Los Angeles Lakers – $365.75
2. Golden State Warriors – $279.47
3. Boston Celtics – $247.96
4. New York Knicks – $238.49
5. Dallas Mavericks – $215.00
Despite not cracking the top five, the Phoenix Suns’ $172 average ticket price still represents a 16% increase over the league average. They trail just behind the Los Angeles Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The study points to star power, market size, and recent team performance as contributing factors to ticket demand. “It is no surprise to see the Los Angeles Lakers at the top of the ranking,” said Johan Sunnanangs, CEO of Spelcash. “Their huge popularity, coupled with a roster featuring names like LeBron James and Luka Doncic, keeps demand sky-high.”
The Suns have drawn strong crowds in recent seasons, bolstered by playoff runs and marquee players like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. But for fans hoping to see them live, the cost is rising.
By contrast, the most affordable team to watch live is the Charlotte Hornets, with an average ticket price of just $82 — 45% below the league average. The Atlanta Hawks ($82.16) and Detroit Pistons ($85.15) also rank among the most wallet friendly.
The study also notes that three of California’s four NBA teams — the Lakers, Warriors, and Clippers — all rank in the top 10, underscoring both the market strength and popularity of basketball in the Golden State.
As the offseason ramps up with the NBA Draft and summer league action, demand for tickets is expected to continue climbing.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jul 7, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
In a unanimous vote on July 2nd, the Scottsdale City Council approved what Mayor Lisa Borowsky described as a “crucial update,” to the city’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance (ESL) to adapt it for current environmental conditions and increase wildfire prevention.
“This crucial update reinforces Scottsdale’s long-standing commitment to preserving its unique desert character while ensuring the safety of its residents and natural resources,” Borowsky said in a statement.
“Wildfire mitigation is a crucial priority for me and learning our ESL ordinance hadn’t been updated recently to better protect homeowners — and their property — from wildfire dangers I asked Fire Chief Tom Shannon to take a look at how we could improve local protections.”
The ordinance was adopted in 1977 as the “Hillside Ordinance,” was last updated and renamed in 1991, and subsequently in 2001, 2003, and 2004. Although effective according to the city, and successful at protecting Scottsdale’s natural features, wildlife habitat, unstable slopes, and areas prone to erosion and flooding, the 21-year-old ordinance was in need of “a comprehensive review and modification,” of fire defensible space parameters.
“This forward-thinking amendment underscores Scottsdale’s proactive approach to environmental stewardship and public safety, ensuring the city’s unique natural landscape remains protected for generations to come,” Borowsky said.
According to the city, the new ESL addresses the following shortfalls of the previous law: responding to increased wildfire threat, updating defensible space requirements, setting compatible maintenance techniques, avoiding non-conforming conditions, ensuring consistency with fire code, maintaining environmental protection, and optimizing the existing regulatory framework.
The new regulations created by the ESL will refine defensible space requirements in relation to Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) and identify maintenance techniques and buffer strategies for NAOS areas as well.
Arizona’s 2025 fire season has already been a stressful one for Valley municipalities with the Monarch Fire burning just outside of Wickenburg on July 2nd, and the Gate Fire of 2024, which burned 100 acres in North Scottsdale and forced evacuations is a very fresh memory for many.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jul 7, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
After years of legal wrangling and stalled progress, Arizona State Representatives Quang Nguyen and Selina Bliss have announced the allocation of $15 million in state budget funding to renovate Prescott’s historic rodeo grounds—just in time for the World’s Oldest Rodeo.
The funding, part of the newly signed state budget, is designated for infrastructure upgrades at the city-owned site, including restrooms, parking facilities, drainage, and water and sewer systems. The rodeo grounds, which have not seen significant improvements in four decades, are set to receive an overhaul that lawmakers say will benefit both locals and the thousands of visitors who flock to the annual event.
“This funding finally delivers the economic benefits we fought for two years ago,” said Rep. Nguyen, reflecting on the legislative battle. “If the city hadn’t taken this to court, we could have been celebrating this year’s rodeo in a fully updated arena.”
Nguyen and Bliss originally secured the funding in 2023, but litigation surrounding the project delayed its implementation. The representatives revisited the issue this year, revising the language to ensure the funds were reapproved and their use clearly mandated.
“This is a win for Prescott and all of Arizona,” said Rep. Bliss. “The rodeo grounds are a cornerstone of our community and a symbol of our western heritage. The improvements will enhance the visitor experience while preserving an important cultural and economic asset.”
The World’s Oldest Rodeo, in operation since 1888, is one of Yavapai County’s most significant tourism draws. The grandstands currently in use were constructed in 1933, and local leaders have long called for modernization of the venue.
“This project preserves our western roots and ensures the rodeo will thrive for generations to come,” Bliss said. “Quang and I are proud to have delivered for District 1.”
Under the terms of the budget, the City of Prescott is required to begin upgrades promptly. The funds must be directed toward infrastructure improvements and enhancements that promote continued use of the rodeo grounds.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
