by Ethan Faverino | Mar 13, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Common Sense Institute (CSI) has announced that Mayor Jason Beck and his wife, Jane Beck, will be honored with the organization’s prestigious Free Enterprise Legacy Award at the 2026 Free Enterprise Summit.
The Becks will also be delivering the keynote address at the event.
The Free Enterprise Legacy Award is CSI’s highest honor, recognizing individuals whose visionary leadership has expanded opportunities for Arizonans, strengthened the state’s fiscal foundation, and advanced the principles of free enterprise.
This honor recognizes not only outstanding business achievement but also meaningful contributions to public policy and community advancement. Jason and Jane Beck embody that legacy through their partnership in entrepreneurship and public service, reflecting a shared commitment to economic innovation and the strength of their community.
As co-founders of TYR Tactical, an acclaimed Arizona-based manufacturer headquartered in Peoria, the Becks have built one of the city’s largest private employers. The company specializes in designing and producing ballistic and tactical equipment that is 100% American made and serves law enforcement agencies, federal entities, and U.S. and allied military forces worldwide.
Through their core philosophy, “Innovate or Die,” TYR Tactical has promoted a culture of relentless innovation and rigorous testing, elevating Arizona’s advanced manufacturing sector and reinforcing the state’s standing as a hub for defense and public safety industries.
Beyond their business success, Jason Beck was elected Mayor of Peoria in 2022. In office, he has brought the same innovative, forward-thinking approach to governance—prioritizing economic development, securing long-term water resources, enhancing public safety, and expanding educational opportunities for families across Arizona.
In a press release announcing the award, CSI Executive Director Katie Ratlief said, “Mayor Jason Beck and Jane Beck represent the very best of Arizona’s entrepreneurial spirit. Through innovation, disciplined leadership, and a commitment to building here at home, they have demonstrated how free enterprise can drive economic growth, create opportunity, and reinforce Arizona’s fiscal strength. Their legacy is one of vision and action, ensuring that opportunity continues to expand for the next generation.”
The 2026 Free Enterprise Summit, CSI’s signature gathering of business, civic, and policy leaders, will take place in Arizona on April 9 and feature discussions on research, data, and policies shaping the state’s economic future.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 5, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Common Sense Institute (CSI) announced that President Pro Tempore of the Arizona Senate, Sen. T.J. Shope (R-LD16), will receive the 2026 Visionary for the Future Award at its annual Free Enterprise Summit.
CSI described the award in a March 2 press release as recognizing leaders who demonstrate innovation, bridge-building, and principled leadership in addressing public policy challenges in Arizona, and who define complex issues and advance practical, data-informed solutions aimed at strengthening long-term opportunity and prosperity.
Shope was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2012 and served in that chamber through 2021, including as Speaker pro Tempore. He was elected to the Arizona State Senate in 2020 and assumed office in January 2021.
Shope holds roles on key legislative committees, including Natural Resources, Energy and Water; Health and Human Services; Director Nominations; Elections, and Rules.
In its announcement, CSI said Shope has built a record of “pragmatic policymaking focused on agriculture, water, commerce, education, and natural resources,” through his legislative work and committee service.
“Senator Shope exemplifies thoughtful, solutions-oriented leadership,” said Katie Ratlief, Executive Director of CSI. “He has consistently demonstrated that durable economic growth requires collaboration and a commitment to policy grounded in facts.” CSI’s announcement said that Shope’s work reflects the innovation and common-sense approach that the award is intended to honor.
Shope is also a small business owner and community figure in Coolidge, Arizona. According to his legislative profile and campaign materials, he co-owns his family’s longstanding supermarket business and has long been active in local civic life prior to his legislative service.
The Visionary for the Future Award will be presented during the Free Enterprise Summit, where CSI also recognizes leaders in business, government, and economic policy. Information about the summit and registration is available on the Common Sense Institute’s website.
CSI’s mission is to provide nonpartisan, evidence-based research on public policy issues affecting Arizona’s economy and promote informed dialogue on economic opportunity and prosperity. The organization’s work spans topics including workforce, education, housing, infrastructure, and state budget analysis.
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 Matthew Holloway | Mar 3, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Alix Skelpsa Ridgway, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, will receive the 2026 “Visionary for the Future” Award from the Common Sense Institute (CSI) at its annual Free Enterprise Summit, the nonprofit research organization announced this week.
The award recognizes leaders, CSI says, who demonstrate “innovation, bridge-building, and principled leadership” in addressing public policy challenges in Arizona. CSI stated in a press release that recipients are selected for their ability to clarify complex issues and advance practical, data-informed solutions that support long-term economic opportunity and prosperity.
Ridgway leads the Arizona Office of Tourism, the statewide agency tasked with promoting travel to Arizona for both domestic and international visitors. Governor Katie Hobbs announced on January 7, 2026, that Ridgway would serve as the agency’s director. She has held senior leadership roles within the Office of Tourism since 2019, including deputy director and interim director.
In its release, CSI said the Office of Tourism’s marketing efforts have generated “billions of dollars in tourism revenue,” contributing to economic activity across Arizona’s counties. The organization added, “Her leadership reflects a sustained commitment to strengthening one of Arizona’s most significant economic sectors.”
“Tourism is one of Arizona’s most important economic engines, supporting jobs and small businesses in communities across every county,” said Katie Ratlief, executive director of the Common Sense Institute.
Ratlief said Ridgway’s leadership helped keep Arizona competitive “on the national and global stage,” adding that by “pairing smart strategy with strong partnerships,” she has helped keep visitors coming, strengthened local economies, and reinforced tourism’s role in driving statewide prosperity.
According to recent data from the Arizona Office of Tourism, the recognition comes amid mixed results across several travel indicators. Airport passenger traffic is down 1% year-over-year, State Park visitation is down 8.4%, and National Park visitation is down 18%. At the same time, estimated tourism tax revenues are up 1.9%, with lodging revenue increasing 3.2% and short-term rental revenue up 0.5%.
The Free Enterprise Summit is CSI’s annual policy event; registration information and details are available on the group’s website.
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 | Feb 28, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
As the 2026 Cactus League Spring Training season kicks off, bringing fifteen Major League Baseball teams to ten stadiums across the Valley, a comprehensive new analysis from the Common Sense Institute (CSI) highlights the significant economic benefits of this annual tradition.
The report estimates that the season, running from February 20 through March 24 with 225 scheduled games, will generate between $210 and $953 million in GDP for Arizona, driven primarily by new spending from out-of-state visitors.
“Spring training is when Arizona’s tourism industry truly steps up to the plate,” wrote Katie Ratlief, Executive Director of CSI. “Each February and March, fans from across the country bring new spending into our hotels, restaurants, and small businesses — supporting jobs, generating tax revenue, and driving measurable economic growth.”
According to the CSI and Cactus League, an estimated 1.8 million fans are expected to flock to venues all over the Valley. About 65% of attendees are projected to come from outside Arizona, injecting fresh dollars into the state’s economy.
Out-of-state visitors—including fans, players, coaches, team staff, and their companions—are anticipated to spend between $210 million and $590 million directly on categories such as lodging, restaurants and bars, groceries, in-state transportation, and game tickets. Key spending breakdowns include:
- Hotels: $74 million to $335 million
- Restaurants and bars: $46 million to $105 million
- Groceries: $23 million to $52 million
- Transportation: $10 million to $45 million
- Game Tickets: Approximately $52 million
This direct spending is expected to ripple through the economy, resulting in:
- Total business sales output: $341 million to $1.6 billion
- GDP Boost: $210 million to $953 million
- Personal income increase: $46 million to $556 million
- Disposable personal income boost: Up to $486 million
- Jobs supported statewide: 668 to 9,697
The report notes that, for the first time, favorable conditions—including strong attendance and potentially higher per-visitor spending—could push the overall economic impact beyond the $1 billion mark this year.
The influx is also projected to generate between $12 million and $33 million in additional State Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT)—Arizona’s equivalent of sales tax—providing a further boost to state and local coffers.
“Arizona’s strong policy environment and world-class quality of life make it possible to attract major recurring events like the Cactus League,” added Ratlief, “and it is a big part of why tourism is a consistent and powerful contributor to our state’s economy.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jan 26, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs recently released her executive budget proposal for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, totaling $17.7 billion in general funding expenditures. The plan represents a $100 million increase over the $17.6 billion budget approval by the Arizona Legislature for the prior year. According to Glenn Farley, Research and Policy Director at Common Sense Institute Arizona (CSI), the proposal extends a pattern of substantial growth in state spending observed in recent years.
In a recent article, Farley told The Center Square, “This budget continues the trend of massive increases, really historically unprecedented increases in the state’s Medicaid-funded disability program run out of the Department of Economic Security (DES).”
Farley highlighted that the most significant expansions in the proposal stem from Arizona’s Medicaid program, K-12 education, and other health care-related initiatives.
A standout element is the marked growth in the state’s Medicaid-funded disability services program operated by DES, which supports home-based care for Arizonans with disabilities. Farley described these increases as “historically unprecedented,” noting a shift where the largest caseload surge now occurs in the DES disability program rather than traditional drivers like the Arizona Department of Education.
The budget addresses the needs of approximately 62,000 qualified Arizonans by expanding access to home-based services through adjusted subsidy structures for home-based providers. For FY26, the proposal allocates an additional $128.1 million from the general fund to DES, supplemented by $271.9 million in the Department Long Term Care System Fund (DLTCSF).
In FY27, ongoing funding increases include $298.8 million from the general fund and $673 million in the DLTCSF.
Farley noted that Governor Hobbs’ budgets have frequently relied on one-time funding sources rather than sustainable ongoing commitments, a pattern that limits long-term fiscal stability.
At the same time, the proposal conforms to recent federal adjustments under HR 1, which aim to restrain cost growth in Medicaid and SNAP by shifting greater responsibilities onto states.
While this alignment addresses federal requirements, it adds operational complexity without resolving underlying sustainability concerns in Arizona’s expanding health and disability services.
In contrast to the administration’s spending approach, Arizona Republicans introduced a tax relief plan earlier this year, projected to save Arizonans $1.1 billion over the next three years, which Governor Hobbs vetoed.
Farley, who served eight years under the prior administration, observed that budget finalization timelines have shifted under Hobbs from the typical time of March or April to May or June.
He further noted an unusually high volume of significant tax code changes this year, driven by federal updates to adjusted gross income calculations, including the addition of new deductions and exceptions.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
