ECONOMY
December Retail Sales Jumped As 2025 Holiday Spending Hit Near-Record Levels
By Ethan Faverino | U.S. retail sales experienced healthy growth in December 2025, aligning holiday season results closely with its forecast for record consumer spending, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). “December Retail Monitor data saw a sharp...
Rep. Kupper Introduces Bill To Block Corporate Takeover Of Single-Family Homes
By Ethan Faverino | State Representative Nick Kupper (R-LD25) introduced House Bill 2325, also known as the Own Something and Be Happy Act. This legislative measure is designed to reduce the growing influence of large institutional investors in Arizona’s single-family...
Arizona Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Eliminate State Sales Tax On Utility Bills
By Ethan Faverino | State Representatives David Marshall (R-LD7) and Ralph Heap (R-LD10) introduced House Bill 2269, a measure to eliminate the state sales tax on electric and gas utility bills for Arizona residents and businesses. The proposed legislation would...
Arizona GOP Lawmakers Send $1.1 Billion Tax Relief Package To Hobbs’ Desk
By Matthew Holloway | Republican legislators have sent a $1.1 billion tax relief package to Gov. Katie Hobbs, escalating a high-stakes policy dispute over tax conformity as the state enters filing season. According to a statement released by House and Senate...
Arizona Lawmaker Introduces ‘No Tax On Troughs’ Bill Targeting Ranching Costs
By Matthew Holloway | Arizona State Representative Chris Lopez (R-LD16) introduced legislation aimed at reducing costs for ranchers and, ultimately, consumers at the grocery store. House Bill 2152, dubbed the “No Tax on Troughs” bill, would eliminate Arizona’s...
Arizona Employment Continued Year-Over-Year Growth In November 2025
By Ethan Faverino | The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity released preliminary employment data for November 2025, showing that Arizona’s economy added 21,300 nonfarm jobs year-over-year on a not-seasonally adjusted (NSA) basis, representing a 0.6% increase...
Arizona GOP Lawmakers Unveil $1.1 Billion Tax Conformity Plan
By Matthew Holloway | Republican legislative leaders in Arizona introduced a tax conformity plan on last week, aimed at aligning the state’s tax code with recent federal tax reforms. The proposal, outlined in a joint press release from the Arizona State Legislature,...
AZ Lawmakers Face Busy 2026 Session Amid Budget Growth, Housing Shortfall, And Water Challenges
By Ethan Faverino | As Arizona lawmakers prepare to convene for the 2026 legislative session, a leading nonpartisan think tank is warning of a demanding agenda driven by fiscal discipline, persistent housing shortages, and critical water policy decisions. Katie...
Arizona Minimum Wage Rises To $15.15 Per Hour
By Ethan Faverino | The Industrial Commission of Arizona announced the state’s minimum wage has increased to $15.15 per hour effective January 1, 2026, up from the current minimum wage of $14.70. This $0.45 adjustment, mandated under A.R.S. § 23-363(B) and the Fair...
Biggs Says Tax Provisions In Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ To Take Effect Within 90 Days
By Matthew Holloway | U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) recently told Newsmax that Americans should begin feeling the economic impact of President Donald Trump’s signature tax and budget law within the next 90 days as key provisions are implemented. Biggs made the...
U.S. Inflation Eases To Lowest Level Since July As Core Prices Slow
By Matthew Holloway | U.S. consumer price inflation slowed more than expected in November, with the latest official data showing a notable drop in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and core inflation. This key measure strips out food and energy costs, according to an...
Arizona Ranks In Top 5 For Fastest Homeownership Growth Over The Past Decade
By Ethan Faverino | While homeownership rates have remained stubbornly flat or declined in many parts of the country, Arizona has beaten the trend with one of the strongest increases in the nation, according to a new decade-long study by the New Jersey Real Estate...
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