Economy - AZ FREE NEWS

Report: Permanent Small Business Tax Deduction Could Add Billions To Arizona Economy

Apr 19, 2026

By Ethan Faverino | The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released a new report detailing the significant economic benefits and tax savings Arizona’s 706,640 small businesses will realize now that the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction has been made...

Small Business Optimism Index Declines In March As Uncertainty Rises

Apr 18, 2026

By Ethan Faverino | Small business optimism weakened in March as a sharp drop in reported profit trends and softening expectations for business conditions weighed on the outlook, according to the latest survey from the National Federation of Independent Business...

March Closes With $164.10 Billion Deficit

Apr 16, 2026

By Ethan Faverino | Earlier this week, the Joint Economic Committee released its Monthly Fiscal Update, revealing that the federal government recorded a deficit of $164.10 billion in March 2026. For the first half of FY26, cumulative deficits reached $1.169 trillion,...

AZ Ranks Among Nation’s Least Affordable States As Household Costs Climb

Apr 15, 2026

By Matthew Holloway | A new report from the Common Sense Institute finds that rising costs for housing, groceries, insurance, and child care continue to strain affordability for Arizona families, even as inflation has cooled from its post-pandemic peak. According to...

Arizona Labor Market Weakens Despite Modest January Job Gains

Apr 12, 2026

By Ethan Faverino | New data from the Common Sense Institute’s Arizona Jobs and Labor Force Update shows Arizona added 5,100 non-farm jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in January, representing a modest 0.16% increase from December. This gain ranked the state 25th...

March Small Business Jobs Report Highlights Persistent Hiring Challenges

Apr 9, 2026

By Ethan Faverino | The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) March Jobs Report, released earlier this week, shows the Small Business Employment Index declined 1.9 points to 101.6. While the index pulled back from February, it remains above the 2025...

U.S. Trade Deficit Widens In February But Remains Below 12-Month Average

Apr 7, 2026

By Ethan Faverino | The Joint Economic Committee released its analysis of the latest Monthly Trade Update, drawing on data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau, Treasury Department, and Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. recorded a total trade...

U.S. Adds 178,000 Jobs In March As Federal Employment Declines

Apr 4, 2026

By Matthew Holloway | The U.S. added 178,000 jobs in March, with gains driven by the private sector, while federal employment declined and labor force participation edged slightly lower, according to the Joint Economic Committee. The report shows job growth rebounded...

New Report Shows Arizona Households Face Rising Debt, Lower Credit Scores

Apr 2, 2026

By Matthew Holloway | Arizona households are carrying higher debt, seeing declining credit scores, and falling behind on payments at rates above the national average, according to a new analysis from the Common Sense Institute of Arizona (CSI). The report, which...

Willoughby Urges Action On Gas Prices After Favorable EPA Ruling

Apr 1, 2026

By Ethan Faverino | Arizona House Majority Whip Julie Wiloughby (R-LD13) praised a recent Trump administration decision recognizing the significant impact of internal emissions on Arizona’s ability to meet federal air quality standards. The ruling grants the Phoenix...

Arizona Hosts Missouri Delegation To Highlight Economic Growth, Innovation Policies

Apr 1, 2026

By Matthew Holloway | The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Goldwater Institute hosted a delegation of Missouri policymakers in Phoenix to discuss economic competitiveness, innovation, and pro-growth policy, according to a joint release. The meeting...

Arizona Senate Republicans Propose Legislation To Reduce Gas Prices

Mar 26, 2026

By Staff Reporter | Republicans in the Arizona Senate are moving on legislation they believe will reduce gas prices. A strike everything amendment to HB 2400 proposes to mitigate price spikes at the pump by filing an emergency waiver to increase Maricopa County’s fuel...