BASIS-Peoria was rated the nation鈥檚 #1 public high school, and a dozen Arizona schools scored among the country鈥檚 100 best, according to.

Among all states, Arizona and Florida tied for the most public high schools ranked among the Top 100 nationally.

鈥淭his independent analysis by U.S. News & World Report confirms what we already knew: Arizona has some of the best public schools in the country,鈥� Jake Logan, President & CEO of the Arizona Charter Schools Association, said in a statement. 鈥淲e congratulate BASIS and each of Arizona鈥檚 outstanding public charter and district schools for getting the recognition they deserve. This is truly a testament to Arizona鈥檚 excellent teachers and school leaders.鈥�

The highly-anticipated U.S. News rankings are released annually and include a review of approximately 25,000 public high schools across all 50 states. graduation rate, curriculum, test performance, college readiness, academic achievement by low-income students and students of color, and other factors.

The BASIS charter network had 10 schools that rated among the nation鈥檚 100 best. University High School, in Tucson, was Arizona鈥檚 highest-ranked district school and was rated #81 nationally.Public charter schools accounted for, according to the rankings.

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A new bipartisan effort led by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to widen veterans’ access to educational opportunities, particularly in high-demand skilled trade and vocational programs. 

The proposed bill, titled the Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act, aims to extend educational benefits under the post-9/11 GI Bill to include hybrid versions of skilled trade training programs. 

The bill鈥檚 backers say the initiative represents a significant step towards modernizing veterans鈥� educational benefits to align with evolving learning trends and address workforce shortages in essential trades. 

鈥淭his legislation makes an important modernization to our veterans鈥� GI benefits to include hybrid skilled trade educational programs,鈥� Ciscomani said. 鈥淣ot only does this improve the way our veterans access their benefits but also helps to tackle the current workforce shortage in skilled trades.鈥�

Veterans often face barriers to employment upon returning to civilian life, including a lack of access to relevant training and certification programs. The VETS Opportunity Act seeks to dismantle these barriers by providing veterans with the necessary resources to acquire in-demand skills and qualifications, which would enhance their employment prospects in today’s competitive job market.

Hiring veterans is likely to boost private firms鈥� bottom line.

Consulting firm McKinsey & Co. last year that veterans are 鈥渁 source of labor potential that is untapped relative to the breadth of experience and depth of skills that they acquire and develop during their service,鈥� and that 鈥渢he economic opportunity of unleashing the value of veterans鈥� work experience through skills-based hiring could reach almost $15 billion over a ten-year period.鈥�

Support for the bill comes from various organizations including the American Legion and the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA).

鈥淭he proposed change would expand post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to veterans enrolled in high-quality, postsecondary programs offered in a hybrid educational format that teach in-demand skilled trades that are aligned with the requirements of state and local employers,鈥� John Bowen, Sr., chairman of the American Legion鈥檚 Veterans Employment & Education Commission said. 

The VETS Opportunity Act has been referred to the House Veterans鈥� Affairs Committee.

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently published a new that requires that both employer and employee representatives have the opportunity to accompany OSHA compliance officers during the physical inspection of a workplace. This has been referred to as the 鈥渨alkaround rule.鈥�

The original ruling was amended to include, 鈥淸t]he representative(s) authorized by employees may be an employee of the employer or a third party.鈥�

According to many business groups, including the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), the new ruling OSHA鈥檚 authority.  

The AHLA joined the Coalition for Workspace Safety (CWS) in and a to the House Subcommittee on Workforce protections back in September. 

One worry is that the ruling will allow those engaged in actions against businesses 鈥� such as environmental activists and union organizers 鈥� to gather information to be used against the business and for the possible purpose of obtaining confidential information and targeting specific workers for a union organizing drive. 

鈥淭he final rule would fundamentally change the nature of the workplace safety inspections and put OSHA in the middle of organizing campaigns and/or labor negotiations between the employer and union,鈥� AHLA said. 鈥淭hese individuals, who could be union organizers, environmental activists, or engaged in some other campaign against the employer, could use the inspection as an opportunity to collect information about the workplace, target workers for an organizing drive, or simply obtain proprietary information.鈥�

Also, in another expansion of its authority, OSHA will be able to decide what third party qualifies as an 鈥渁uthorized representative.鈥� This ability was previously reserved solely for the National Labor Relations Board. 

鈥淭his is another clear example of the federal regulatory onslaught 鈥� a proposal that upends settled precedent and ignores the reasoned decision-making required by the Administrative Procedure Act. For these reasons, the NAM will be considering legal action to reverse this incredibly destabilizing decision,鈥� NAM said in a statement. 

The U.S. 小红帽直播app of Commerce said it would also consider legal action.

鈥淲e are disappointed OSHA has chosen to inject union organizing tactics into inspections that should be focused solely on workplace safety,鈥� U.S. 小红帽直播app Vice President of Workplace Policy Marc Freedman said. 鈥淭his regulation further demonstrates this Administration鈥檚 determination to aid unions whenever possible, even at the expense of an agency鈥檚 core mission. The 小红帽直播app is considering all options, including litigation, in response to this flawed rule.鈥�

Also, the ruling could property rights of employers and rights guaranteed by the fourth amendment. By including a third party in inspections alongside compliance officers, OSHA runs the risk of conducting searches on employers that may be deemed unreasonable, with no recourse available. Employers are safeguarded by the Fourth Amendment’s exclusionary rule in cases where OSHA secures an improper warrant. 

The final ruling goes into effect on May 31.

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Advocates for workers who rely on tips for much of their earnings urged members of the state House Commerce Committee on Tuesday to act to preserve the workers鈥� livelihoods. 

If passed by the Legislature, SCR 1040, The Tipped Workers Protection Act, would ask voters in November to decide whether the state constitution should be changed to protect tipped earnings and increase the guaranteed base wage for servers.

Advocates for tipped workers say the change is necessary as activists nationwide pursue policies that would eliminate the so-called 鈥渢ip credit,鈥� which allows employers to pay their tipped workers less than the mandated hourly wage since workers who earn tips often take home far more than they would if they were regular hourly workers. 

Under The Tipped Workers Protection Act, tipped workers would be guaranteed to earn at least $2 more than the minimum wage. 

In Arizona, the state minimum wage is $14.35 per hour and is adjusted upward every January depending on the rate of inflation. 

Anti-tipping advocates backed by organized labor, however, are gathering signatures to put their own proposal on the Arizona ballot in November to eliminate the tip credit. 

But as lawmakers heard Tuesday, the consequences could be severe, driving up labor costs for employers in sectors like dining and hospitality, which in turn could lead to lower earnings for previously tipped workers due to reduced hours and shifts. 

Small, independent restaurants in rural parts of the state, which already operate on extremely thin margins, would likely struggle the most. 

Patrons would likely see an impact, too, with higher menu prices, as well as fewer staff members and diminished service levels as restaurateurs pivot to less labor-intensive technology like app-based ordering to offset the higher labor costs. 

Tip credits have been eliminated in other states and the District of Columbia, where a National Restaurant Association survey of 1,000 D.C.-area adults found that more than half are dining out less because of higher prices and, when they do, are more reluctant to leave an additional tip for their server due to higher prices or mandatory service charges. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 unfortunate that this bill is necessary, but anti-tipping advocates are doing all they can to undermine a pay model for servers that for decades has proven successful,鈥� Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry Vice President of Government Affairs Courtney Coolidge said. 鈥淏y making it more expensive to hire servers, the anti-tipping crowd is hurting the very people they claim to want to help.鈥�

In addition to the state chamber of commerce and local chambers, many organizations representing servers support the bill, including the Arizona Restaurant Association and the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association.

Sultan Stipho, a server who testified before the committee, said earning tips is his profession鈥檚 鈥渦pside,鈥� allowing servers to make a significant amount of money in a relatively short period of time. 

Stipho said he entered the field because of its flexibility and its potentially unlimited earning potential, comparing tips to commissions in sales. 

鈥淚 urge you all to think about the people here who are actually working in the industry,鈥� he said. 

The bill passed the Commerce Committee by a 6-3 vote. If approved by the full House, the measure would head to the state Senate for a final vote. If passed there, it would head to the November ballot.

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Grand Canyon University on Wednesday recognized four dedicated leaders who exemplify Jerry Colangelo鈥檚 renowned concept of servant leadership at the fourth annual Colangelo Servant Leadership Awards. 

The awards, sponsored by Freeport-McMoRan, pay homage to Jerry Colangelo, a prominent figure in Arizona鈥檚 business and sports spheres and the namesake of GCU鈥檚 Colangelo College of Business (CCOB).

The award ceremony was held at GCU and honored Karrin Taylor Robson, Bill McKee, Brandy Labinjo, and Mike Greenawalt.

Karrin Taylor Robson is the founder and president of Arizona Strategies. Additionally, she has provided mentorship to GCU students and collaborated with them on projects. In June 2017, Gov. Doug Ducey appointed her to the Arizona Board of Regents. Presently, she is a member of the Civic Leaders Group for the chief of staff of the United States Air Force. 

Bill Mckee is a scholar in residence at Valley Presbyterian Church and executive in residence at GCU. McKee, a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy class of 1968, served in the military as an advanced jet instructor pilot in T-38s. Upon his honorable discharge in 1973, McKee embarked on a career in finance, holding various positions including vice president and manager at The Arizona Bank, and later assuming the roles of president and cEO at FBS Venture Capital Company. In 1987, McKee established his own company, initially known as McKee & Company, which later evolved into W.B. McKee Securities Inc., an NASD Broker/Dealer specializing in providing capital to Arizona-based companies. In 2000, he opted to sell the business to its employees.

Brandy Labinjo is the leader of executive operations support at APS. Labinjo holds the role of professional chair for APS鈥� African American Employee Group, sits on the CCOB Advisory Board, and serves as faculty at GCU. Before transitioning to the utility sector, Labinjo鈥檚 professional background included positions in education, where she worked in finance, student advising, and as a faculty member teaching accounting and business law.

Mike Greenawalt is the CEO of Rosendin Electric. Greenawalt played a pivotal role in founding The Rosendin Foundation, which, between 2020 and 2023, distributed $1.8 million to support 220 distinct organizations across the country. He initiated teams to bolster Rosendin鈥檚 Zero Tolerance policy against racism, discrimination, and bullying, implemented a hotline for reporting discrimination incidents, expanded the training under Rosendin鈥檚 Respect for People initiative to cover diversity and unconscious bias, and introduced an Emerging Leaders program. Additionally, Greenawalt was instrumental in establishing GCU鈥檚 Pre-Apprentice for Electricians program to tackle workforce shortage concerns.

Colangelo, an Arizona legend, has enjoyed a Hall of Fame career spanning 50 years, beginning in 1968. His achievements include ownership of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks, leading the Valley to its sole major sports championship with the 2001 World Series victory, founding or relocating teams like the Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Rattlers, and Arizona Coyotes, transforming downtown Phoenix with two cutting-edge sports facilities, reviving USA Basketball’s global prominence, and serving as principal partner with JDM Partners, a company boasting a 60-year legacy in real estate acquisitions, development, and management.

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The state Senate Finance and Commerce Committee on Monday passed SB 1213, a bill that advocates say will help small businesses in communities with sky-high wage mandates by establishing a tax credit for employers to offset their higher labor costs. The credit would be funded by the state withholding a portion of the city or town鈥檚 state shared revenues. 

Sponsored by state Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, the bill passed on a 4-3 party line vote. 

鈥淭his holds a city to some extent accountable for its decision to have a higher minimum wage than the state,鈥� Rogers said. 

The statewide minimum wage is $14.35 per hour, but in Flagstaff the minimum wage is $17.40 per hour. 

She explained that her legislation simply extends to the employer a 5% tax credit on the difference between their wage bill and what it would have been in a city that follows the state minimum wage. The amount of shared revenues that could be withheld from a city would be capped at $5 million annually. 

Joe Galli, who oversees public affairs for the Greater Flagstaff 小红帽直播app of Commerce, said the impact of the city鈥檚 higher minimum wage on businesses in his community has been significant. 

鈥淚magine a Flagstaff business with payroll costs of $1 million a year. That same business in any other city would have payroll costs of $700,000,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his bill is an opportunity for the citizens of Flagstaff who have chosen a higher wage mandate than the state wage mandate to reinvest back in the job creators they鈥檝e penalized. This bill levels the playing field, and it allows businesses to reinvest the credit back into the local economy.鈥� 

State Senate Minority Leader Mitzi Epstein, D-Ahwatukee, voted against the bill, arguing that businesses 鈥渃ould find some of the cost savings in some of their highly inflated C-level jobs to help pay.鈥� She called the bill an 鈥渋nsult to voters.鈥� 

The Census Bureau says the median household income in Flagstaff is $65,652. 

Labor unions registered their opposition to the bill, arguing that prevailing wage ordinances they support in Phoenix in Tucson result in wage mandates higher than the state minimum wage. 

Under prevailing wage ordinances, labor rates for public works projects are pegged to rates set by the Department of Labor rather than between the client, contractor, and subcontractors. 

The Phoenix and Tucson measures are the subject of a lawsuit filed last month. Opponents argue that the state constitution bars municipalities from adopting such ordinances. 

Tucson is phasing in its own local minimum wage mandate. That city will adopt a $15 hourly rate beginning January 1, 2015. 

Joining the Flagstaff 小红帽直播app in support of establishing the tax credit were the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry, the Greater Phoenix 小红帽直播app, and the West Valley 小红帽直播app of Commerce Alliance.

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Southern Arizona U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R) has introduced legislation to name the post office in Duncan, Ariz. after the late Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. O’Connor grew up on a large cattle ranch near Duncan, a town in Greenlee County close to the New Mexico border, before becoming the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court.

Ciscomani’s bill to honor O鈥機onnor has support from both Arizona Republicans and Democrats in Congress. 

鈥淩aised on a cattle ranch near Duncan, Justice O鈥機onnor proudly embraced her roots as an Arizona cowgirl throughout her lifetime,鈥� said Ciscomani, who represents Duncan in Congress. 鈥淲hile she is most well-known for her legacy in Washington, D.C., her service to Arizona and the nation started far before her time on the Supreme Court. While it鈥檚 impossible to encompass the full impacts of her life, actions like this keep her legacy alive and serve as a reminder to the next generation to continue to break the glass ceiling.鈥�

鈥淭he Sandra Day O鈥機onnor Institute is delighted with this Duncan post office designation for Justice O鈥機onnor,鈥� said Sarah Suggs, president and CEO of the Sandra Day O鈥機onnor Institute. 鈥淚t is a fitting tribute from her days on the nearby Lazy B Ranch and southwestern upbringing that were so instrumental in her formative years. We commend Congressman Ciscomani and his Arizona congressional colleagues in their efforts to honor the Justice.鈥�

Ciscomani also joined state lawmakers in a press conference promoting a separate push led by state Rep. Matt Gress (R-Phoenix) to honor O鈥機onnor in the U.S. Capitol鈥檚 Statuary Hall.聽

Photo courtesy Rep. Ciscomani via .

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Every year, more than 1.2 million students in the United States drop out of high school. That equates to one student quitting every 26 seconds or 7,000 students daily. But for more than two decades, Eastpointe High School has been helping to prevent at-risk Arizona teens from becoming a statistic. 

Now, thanks to a Covid-era initiative designed by Eastpointe, a national model could be emerging for getting teens and young adults back on the path to high-school graduation.   

With the help of a Governor鈥檚 Office grant secured in 2022, James and Chris Meehan, brothers and co-owners of Eastpointe, launched Elevated Education. This concentrated community outreach campaign connected with nearly 2,000 Arizona teens, 779 of whom enrolled in the program and got back on track to graduate thanks to dedicated mentoring and the development of individualized learning plans for each student.  

鈥淗undreds of young Arizonans who were likely to have remained high-school dropouts are now on their way to becoming graduates,鈥� James Meehan said. 鈥淓levated Education has proven that many teens who have set their education aside for whatever reason want to get back in school 鈥� they just need a little help.鈥� 

The pandemic exacerbated existing educational challenges in underserved communities, where students were more likely to have little to no access to reliable internet service that would allow for remote learning or who were more likely to have a caregiver who was negatively affected by the pandemic, whether because of an interruption in employment or severe health problems.  

As an unfortunate result, those communities were more likely to experience higher absenteeism, failing grades, and shrinking enrollment. 

Communities with low high-school graduation rates often suffer the consequences, including lower employment rates, higher incarceration rates, more reliance on public assistance programs, and more demand for unemployment compensation and charitable services. But with programs like Elevated Education, that cycle can be broken. 

The Elevated Education campaign partnered with school districts, charter schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other organizations to identify students who would benefit most from Elevated鈥檚 services.  

鈥淲e conducted nearly 4,000 mentoring sessions, which is about eight sessions per active teen we worked with,鈥� Chris Meehan said. 鈥淲e took the time to understand each student鈥檚 particular challenges, what they need to be successful and, where appropriate, what additional wraparound services they might require to increase their chances of successfully graduating.鈥�  

Elevated鈥檚 mentoring program included academic coaching, a concentration on strategies for academic success, life skills workshops, and more. Students could return to a traditional classroom, a hybrid arrangement, or fully online. 

While the program ended in February of 2023, the team at Eastpointe High School continues to serve Arizona鈥檚 most at-risk students, and many of the strategies developed for the Elevated effort have since been refined and continue to be utilized by the team at Eastpointe. 

The need to reach these students and young adults remains the number one priority, and the Elevated Education program鈥檚 robust marketing and outreach strategy highlighted the fact that there are more students and young adults ready to get back on track to graduate than anyone could have predicted.

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The Arizona Board of Regents unveiled two new reports on fall university enrollment and postsecondary attainment for Arizona鈥檚 highschool graduates. While there’s a modest uptick in college enrollment and completion, Arizona falls short in achieving adequate postsecondary education for its high school graduates.

The 2023 Postsecondary Attainment Report from the Arizona Board of Regents investigates how many Arizona public high school graduates enroll in postsecondary institutions within a year after graduation, along with the quantity and percentage of those who obtain a postsecondary credential within six years after graduating.

Promoting postsecondary attainment, measured by the percentage of adults obtaining a college degree, results in a better-educated workforce, spurs economic growth, and elevates both wages and the overall quality of life for individuals who hold degrees.

The Academic Year 2024 Enrollment Report provides data on the enrollment of students at Arizona鈥檚 public universities from fall 2023. It is measured by the headcount on the 21st day for each university and its various campuses.

While college enrollment in Arizona is on the rise, the state’s level of educational achievement sets the stage for economic stagnation down the road.

In 2023, student enrollment at Arizona’s public universities reached a record high of 251,194, marking a 14.1% increase compared to the previous year. The rise in total enrollment is attributed to the popularity and growth of online programs. Specifically, during fall 2023, 104,419 students participated in online programs offered by an Arizona public university, constituting 41.6% of the total enrollment.

Still, attainment rates remain a concern. Recent data indicates that only 30.3% of Arizona’s 2017 high school graduates obtained a certificate, credential, or college degree. This stagnant progress is worrying, particularly since Arizona requires an additional 26,300 bachelor鈥檚 degrees annually to sustain its economy. This low educational achievement rate restricts the upward mobility of students and poses a risk for future economic stagnation.

One positive highlight from the enrollment report is the increased admission of Pell-eligible students to universities, with 57,793 enrolled, 54.8% of whom are Arizona residents. This success is attributed to the Arizona Promise Program, a scholarship initiative that guarantees financial aid to qualifying low-income Arizona students, covering tuition and fees at the state鈥檚 public universities. To enhance accessibility for Arizona students, the state must continue supporting and expanding this comprehensive financial aid program.

The Arizona Board of Regents is dedicated to promoting access for Arizona residents to both undergraduate and graduate institutions. They aim to encourage the exploration, practical application, and sharing of knowledge while expanding the advantages of university initiatives to the broader community in Arizona. Additionally, they strive to maximize the state鈥檚 investments in higher education.

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This column originally in The Arizona Capitol Times

Arizona voters in a 2016 special election passed Proposition 123, which increased investment in K-12 education by billions of dollars and ended a long, complicated and expensive lawsuit over previous state budgets鈥� K-12 funding levels.

As Proposition 123 nears the end of its 10-year lifespan, it鈥檚 time for an updated law to ensure Arizona鈥檚 investment in K-12 doesn鈥檛 diminish.

The 2016 measure was shrewdly designed by former Gov. Doug Ducey and relied on increasing the distribution from the state land trust, which at the time of the proposition鈥檚 passing had swelled to more than $5 billion. Despite the size of the trust, outdated law kept distributions too low. So, Proposition 123 boosted distributions from the trust to the tune of $3.5 billion over the course of a decade, all without raising taxes.

Proposition 123 had plenty of naysayers who predicted all sorts of doomsday scenarios, from a cratering trust fund to tax increases, to wild swings in K-12 funding. None of them came true. In fact, just the opposite.

The proposition鈥檚 passage kicked off a major increase in K-12 funding over successive state budgets thanks to the Legislature and governor, who successfully implemented an average 20% teacher pay raise, and restored District and Charter Additional Assistance and Career and Technical Education funding.

And just like with Proposition 123, the funding increases happened without raising taxes. In fact, individual income tax rates plunged to a nation-low 2.5% among states with an income tax, and the rainy day fund balance exceeded $1 billion.

Over the last decade Arizona has proven that we could increase state land trust distributions to schools without harming the corpus for future generations and that we could make our tax code more competitive while still increasing K-12 funding.

State Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, deserves credit for his recent announcement that the Legislature will make a new education funding plan a priority in the 2024 legislative session. The Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry has made an update to Proposition 123 a priority for next year, too, and we look forward to working with him and his colleagues to craft a measure that voters will strongly support.

Unfortunately, Petersen鈥檚 plan is receiving criticism from some corners before the Legislature has even convened. That鈥檚 too bad. Proposition 123 delivered a win for schools. There鈥檚 no reason the next iteration can鈥檛 as well.

The 小红帽直播app and job creators are ready to work constructively with the Legislature on the next generation of K-12 funding. We鈥檒l urge lawmakers to ensure the next version of Proposition 123, like its predecessor, doesn鈥檛 raise taxes. And we want to work with members of both parties to ensure the new version doesn鈥檛 create new stress on the general fund. Finally, we want whatever gets referred to voters to come with bipartisan support. When Proposition 123 was originally rolled out in 2015, leaders representing constituencies across the political spectrum stood up to support it, something worth striving for again.

Like they do every year, legislators in 2024 will have a long list of things they want to accomplish during the legislative session. Gov. Katie Hobbs will have her own agenda. A successor to Proposition 123 and the preservation of the decade鈥檚 most consequential education funding initiative should be at the top.

Danny Seiden is president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry.

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