Economy - AZ FREE NEWS

‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Passes U.S. House In Party Line Vote, Moves On To Senate

May 24, 2025

By Matthew Holloway | The ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ was passed in a late-night round of voting in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday with near-unanimous support from Republicans. The massive and wide-reaching budget reform bill now moves to the Senate Two...

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler Tours Phoenix Business

May 9, 2025

By Matthew Holloway | Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), stopped in Arizona as part of her nationwide tour for National Small Business Week. During an interview with Arizona's James T. Harris on KFYI, Loeffler described the...

Independent Businesses Urge Senate Action In Wake Of Arizona Jobs Report

May 7, 2025

By Matthew Holloway | The latest job report from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) shows that 34% of small business owners (seasonally adjusted) reported that despite having open positions in April, they could not find employees to fill them. Chad...

California Refinery Closures Spark Fuel Supply Concerns In AZ

Apr 26, 2025

By Jonathan Eberle | California is poised to lose a significant portion of its oil refining capacity by the end of 2026, as Valero announced the closure of its Benicia refinery—its second largest in the state—just months after Phillips 66 declared plans to shut down...

New Report Shows Arizona Cities Maintain Strong Revenues Amid Calls For Tax Increases

Apr 24, 2025

By Jonathan Eberle | Despite recent claims of financial strain, Arizona cities are experiencing robust revenue growth, according to the Arizona Tax Research Association's (ATRA) April 2025 newsletter. The report highlights that municipalities have accumulated...

Campaign Launches In Support Of Glendale Propositions 401 And 402

Apr 7, 2025

By Jonathan Eberle | A new campaign, Yes for Glendale, has been launched in support of Propositions 401 and 402, two measures set to appear on the May 20 mail-in ballot. The propositions concern land use and zoning changes necessary for the completion of VAI Resort, a...

Glendale Mayor Announces Support For Propositions In May Special Election

Apr 4, 2025

By Matthew Holloway | Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers is enthusiastically supporting two upcoming ballot propositions for the city, which are set to be voted on in the May 20th special election. The two propositions, Props 401 and 402, would reportedly affirm the Glendale...

Schweikert Asks Congress – ‘Do You Understand How SCREWED WE ARE?’

Apr 3, 2025

By Matthew Holloway | Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ-01) raised an alarm about what he believes is the oncoming fiscal demise of the U.S. in a speech from the House floor. Schweikert explained that a simple series of calculations “point to a shrinking labor force,...

Sen. Mesnard Working To Reduce State Income Tax By 50% Of Surplus

Apr 1, 2025

By Matthew Holloway | Arizona State Senator JD Mesnard (R-LD13) is looking to reduce the size of government and the state income tax burden on Arizonans with dual bills: SB1318 and SCR1014. Both bills, which are moving through the House after passing the Senate in...

Republican Lawmakers Propose Ballot Measure To Cap Taxes On Food And Drink

Mar 31, 2025

By Matthew Holloway | Arizona’s Republican lawmakers are looking to take on the cost of groceries by sending a referendum to the voters that would cap the transaction privilege taxes in municipalities on the sale of food items for home consumption at 2 percent. The...

Sen. Mesnard’s Bill Would Exempt Retirement Savings From State Income Tax

Mar 27, 2025

By Matthew Holloway | A bill to exempt retirement savings from the state income tax is being considered by the Arizona House of Representatives. SB 1371, sponsored by Sen. JD Mesnard (LD-13), would exempt all retirement investment savings, including 401Ks, IRAs, Roth...

Proposed Ballot Measure Would Require Supermajority For Local Tax Increases

Mar 19, 2025

By Jonathan Eberle | A proposed amendment to Arizona’s tax laws could make it significantly harder for cities and counties to raise taxes and fees. Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1008, sponsored by Senate President Warren Petersen, proposes requiring a two-thirds...