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 8, 2026 | Economy, News
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 Ratlief, Executive Director of the Common Sense Institute (CSI), emphasized the need for urgent action from the Legislature and Governor Katie Hobbs to address these issues. In a recent report by The Center Square, Ratlief highlighted that the session will require decisive leadership to tackle spending trends, affordability barriers, and the state’s long-term water security.
Arizona’s budget has expanded significantly over the past decade, rising from approximately $10 billion to nearly $18 billion, with $6 billion of that increase occurring in just the last five years. Ratlief urged policymakers to rein in spending increases and reassess recent commitments to determine whether they remain necessary, warning against expenditures outpacing economic growth.
Housing affordability remains a top concern for CSI Arizona, with the latest quarterly report underscoring ongoing challenges despite some cooling in the market. The average home price stands at $426,164—$53,400 more expensive than pre-pandemic trends—leaving households facing high costs amid elevated mortgage rates.
According to CSI Senior Economist and Research Analyst Zachary Milne, Arizonans now need to work more than 64 hours per month, at the average wage, just to afford a typical home payment, significantly up from the historical average of 45 hours.
Real-time estimates show an instantaneous housing shortfall of 52,846 units in Q2 2025, a 6.9% improvement from the revised 56,812 units in 2024. Arizona faces a cumulative housing deficit of 121,334 units, as of 2024, reflecting years of inadequate construction relative to population growth.
Ratlief believes the housing shortfall is not the result of state policy but of holdups originating within cities, noting that local governments control permitting, building codes, and enforcement—factors that can significantly slow housing development.
CSI revealed that most Arizona counties—including Maricopa, with a projected deficit of 34,737 units—are falling behind demand. Even with recent improvements in permitting, Maricopa County is still building thousands of units short of what is needed annually.
Water policy will also dominate discussions this legislative session, as ongoing negotiations over the Colorado River allocations approach a pivotal February 14, 2026, deadline set by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
This is viewed as likely the final opportunity for the seven basin states to reach a consensus agreement on sharing the river’s water before current operating guidelines expire at the end of the year. With Arizona’s unique constitutional requirement, any agreement reached will require legislative approval, setting the stage for intense debate in the 2026 session. Ratlief indicated that if states finalize a deal, the Legislature will debate and vote on authorizing the Department of Water Resources to sign on, potentially shaping Arizona’s water future for decades.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
