State lawmakers on Wednesday passed legislation that will allow the state鈥檚 Medicaid agency to access federal dollars that figure into the payments that reimburse health care providers across the state for delivering service to program enrollees. 

HB 2432, sponsored by Rep. David Livingston, R-Peoria, extends the required expenditure authority to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS, for the remainder of fiscal year 2023, which ends June 30. 

The bill passed the House of Representatives by a wide margin in February but languished in the state Senate.  

The Senate instead in March tacked a partial expenditure authority provision onto another bill, HB 2624 by Rep. Leo Biasiucci, R-Lake Havasu City, that dealt with Medicaid eligibility determinations.  

The amendment only granted AHCCCS the expenditure authority for $1.6 billion in federal funds 鈥� enough to cover one month 鈥� causing concern in the health care community and broader business community that payments to providers would be delayed if additional expenditure authority wasn鈥檛 granted by a late April deadline, forcing providers and the private sector health plans the state contracts with to bear the financial burden in the meantime.  

After a weeklong delay, the Senate took up the original bill Wednesday, passing it 26-3 and sending it to Gov. Katie Hobbs for her signature.  

Following the bill鈥檚 passage, Hobbs , 鈥淚 am glad to see Republicans and Democrats come together to pass HB2432, a critical bill that will keep millions of Arizonans insured. The health and safety of Arizonans is not a partisan issue, and I hope we can continue to work together to deliver for our state.鈥� 

Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden said he was pleased a deal was reached, but that he worries about risks to the stability of the public policy environment. 

鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased both parties came together to pass this bill that is of major importance not only to the health care sector but to the entire state economy,鈥� Seiden said. 鈥淚 did hear concern from the business community about how disruptive a failure to pass this procedural bill in a timely manner could be, so I want to thank Senate President Warren Petersen, House Speaker Ben Toma, and Gov. Hobbs for coming together to reach an agreement. The state has major challenges ahead of it that will require bipartisan cooperation to maintain its competitiveness, so I鈥檓 hopeful these leaders will continue to work hard for Arizona.

Legislators include expenditure authority language in the annual state budget, but they must sometimes pass a supplemental bill when the authority in the adopted budget is insufficient. 

Budget forecasters鈥� ability to project AHCCCS budget needs in the fiscal year 2023 budget language was complicated by additional federal reimbursements that flowed to states during the pandemic and by the federal requirement that state Medicaid agencies not disenroll anyone during the public health emergency. Subsequent federal legislation granted states the ability to reassess enrollees鈥� eligibility beginning April 1, the same date the pandemic era enhanced federal reimbursement rates began to be reduced. The enhanced reimbursement rate will fully phase out at the end of 2023. The public health emergency ends May 11.

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Diamondbacks baseball is back, with the home opener at Chase Field tomorrow night. The club split its four-game season series opener against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, and then split a two-game set against the Padres in San Diego before heading home.

Roster update

The big out of Spring Training last month was the long-term contract extension to keep Outfielder Corbin Carroll in Arizona. Carroll, who made his MLB debut last year at just age 22, signed an eight-year, $111 million contract with a ninth year club option. He made quite the impact last year, hitting four home runs and batting in 14 runners in only 32 games while also being considered one of the fastest players in the league.

Earlier in the , the D-Backs were able to avoid arbitration for starting pitcher Zac Gallen by offering him a one-year, $6.5 million contract, maintaining control of the club鈥檚 ace and this year鈥檚 opening day starter. Other notable signings include veteran 3B Evan Longoria and a trade that netted LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr from Toronto.

New rules

This year, the MLB has made some of the biggest rule the game has seen in decades. The new pitch clock gives pitchers just 15 seconds to begin their motion when no one is on base. This was implemented to shorten the time of games, addressing one of the game鈥檚 longest standing complaints. The defensive shift has also been banned in the hope that it will generate more offense. The new rule requires teams to have two infielders on either side of second base and cannot begin a play in the outfield grass. Finally, the size of bases has increased from 15 to 18 inches. The league鈥檚 goal with the bases is twofold: Increase base stealing by marginally decreasing the space between bases and decrease player contact at bases leading to injuries.

MLB鈥檚 most affordable ballpark to see a game

According to Team Marketing , D-Backs games have been the most affordable to attend for the last 14 consecutive years. The Fan Cost Index totals the ticket price along with 鈥渂eer per ounce, parking, and hot dogs.鈥� 

In 2022, the average D-Backs ticket cost just over $22, while the average ticket league wide cost almost $36. Unlike most other ballparks, fans are still allowed to bring their own food and water into Chase Field, which keeps costs down for families and groups.

鈥淭he affordability for us is a point of pride,鈥� Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall said. 鈥淲e want to make sure that anything we do, it鈥檚 still affordable so people have a reason to come back.鈥�

Chase Field partnerships

The APS Solar , a public-private partnership built in 2011, provides shade for fans at the western entrance and ticket booths. The 17,000-square-foot structure also generates 75 kilowatts of solar power, enough to power up to homes. 

Last year, Chase Field a brand new two-story entertainment venue that contains a retail location for one of the team鈥檚 marquee sponsors Caesars Sportsbook and Guy Fieri鈥檚 DTPHX Kitchen + Bar adjacent to the stadium. This first-of-its-kind combination is the largest freestanding sportsbook to open in partnership with a sports venue nationwide.

Community impact

The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, which was formed before the club even started playing, has over $75 million to local charities and nonprofits. The Foundation, whose slogan is 鈥淒-Backs Give Back,鈥� focuses on three primary areas: youth sports and education, homelessness, and healthcare.

At each and every home game this year, fans can participate in a 50/50 in which half the money raised goes to the winner and the other half is donated to the Diamondbacks Foundation to fund their initiatives. Additionally, funds are raised through a yearly gala, a celebrity golf tournament, the sale of authentic items such as balls or jerseys, as well as donations from D-Backs players and other community partners.

Since the initiative began in 2000, APS and gifts from players have provided over $10 million to build or refurbish more than 40 baseball and softball fields. Additionally, the Foundation has been providing youth and caps for over 60,000 players across the state since 2014 through the Give Back Youth Jersey Program in partnership with Phoenix Children鈥檚 Hospital, Fry鈥檚 Food Stores, and Tide.

For each year since 2002, the Foundation has issued grants to community organizations between $25,000 and $250,000. Renamed the Ken Kendrick Grand Slam Awards in 2016, over $8.5 million has been provided to the 103 grantees.

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The Fiscal Year 2024 budget request released by President Joe Biden last week contains tax code changes that would weaken the country鈥檚 business competitiveness, according to leading industry advocacy groups.

鈥淭here is no escaping the fact that the tax increases in President Biden鈥檚 new budget proposal would reverse the recent significant growth we鈥檝e achieved in American manufacturing jobs and investment, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons . 鈥淎fter the 2017 tax reform made rates more competitive, manufacturers kept their promises to raise wages and invest in their communities. In fact, 2018 was the best year for manufacturing job creation in the previous 21 years. And in the past two years, as we rebuilt from the pandemic, we鈥檝e created more jobs in the sector than at any point since the Reagan administration. So it comes as a surprise that President Biden, who has vocally championed manufacturing growth in pushing successfully for infrastructure investment and the CHIPS and Science Act, wants to pursue policies that would undo our progress.鈥�

According to the Tax Foundation, the White House budget calls for nearly $4.7 trillion in new taxes targeted at businesses and high-income individuals, including a higher corporate income tax rate. The president鈥檚 budget calls for a corporate rate of 25%, a 7 percentage point jump from the current rate. 

Unclear in the new budget is the administration position on how it would handle the 2025 expiration of tax reforms contained in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Budget materials released by the White House simply said the administration would work with Congress to arrive at a 鈥渢ax system that rewards work, not wealth.鈥�

鈥淭he administration鈥檚 proposed budget is a recipe for economic and fiscal disaster. Nearly $2 trillion in spending increases would result in an economy where one out of every four dollars is government spending. An unprecedented $5 trillion in tax increases would hit businesses of all sizes and lead to lower wages for working Americans,鈥� U.S. 小红帽直播app of Commerce Executive Vice President Neil Bradley said. 

In addition to the call for an increase in the corporate income tax rate, the budget also calls for a top income tax rate of 39.6%. Under the 2017 law, the top rate is 37%. The president also wants to tax capital gains at the same rate as regular income for individuals with more than $1 million in income. 

The budget also calls for more drugs to be subject to government price controls, something Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden said his group would oppose.

鈥淭he Arizona 小红帽直播app was the state鈥檚 most vocal proponent of the job-creating tax reforms included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and we were the most vocal opponent of the doomed Build Back Better plan,鈥� Seiden said. 鈥淭his proposed budget would dramatically roll back the progress made under the TCJA while attempting once again to push through the worst components of Build Back Better. Not only will this plan not survive congressional scrutiny, it could also prove to be a political liability for the White House.鈥� 

A tax increase on individual income would be bad news for small businesses, which pay taxes at the individual rate, not the lower corporate rate.

The National Federation of Independent Business panned the proposal.

鈥淭he small business economy is still recovering, and business outlook is near historic lows. The expanding list of tax increases included in the FY 2024 proposed budget would crush Main Street鈥檚 ability to grow and create jobs,鈥� said Brad Close, president of the National Federation of Independent Business.

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House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., heard from Texas and Arizona business community leaders recently about the threat to economic growth posed by government overreach and regulation.聽

A joint delegation of the Texas Association of Business and the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry met with the two pro-business congressional leaders in Washington last week, discussing issues like overly stringent EPA rules, how the federal government stymies the development of new energy sources, and the debt ceiling. 

鈥淭he American business community is incredibly fortunate that Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise are leading the House,鈥� TAB President and CEO Glenn Hamer said. 鈥淛ob creators couldn鈥檛 ask for two better leaders to promote a free-market agenda that supports innovation, competition, and growth.鈥� 

Arizona 小红帽直播app President and CEO Danny Seiden said the two congressional leaders have a firm grasp on how an overreaching federal government can negatively affect economic development, citing the example of onerous EPA air quality regulations that could thwart the ability of manufacturers to expand in Arizona. 

鈥淥verly aggressive EPA regulations put our states鈥� ability attract and grow jobs at serious risk,鈥� Seiden said. 鈥淪peaker McCarthy and Leader Scalise know that states like Arizona and Texas are driving this economy, thanks in large part to the work we鈥檝e done to create pro-business regulatory environments that have made it easier and more attractive for manufacturers and job creators to grow and thrive. Issuing stricter standards would hurt the economy and potentially discourage future investments, including in the types of clean energy projects needed to address climate change. We appreciated the opportunity to visit with two leaders who clearly understand that meddlesome federal bureaucracy can snuff out jobs.鈥� 

Hamer said the meeting with McCarthy and Scalise was a perfect complement to TAB meetings with several members of the Texas delegation, including Rep. Roger Williams, Rep. Michael McCaul, and Rep. Kay Granger, who chair the House Small Business, Foreign Affairs, and Appropriations committees, respectively. 

鈥淔our members of the Texas congressional delegation chair committees, which is great news for the Texas business community,鈥� Hamer said. 鈥淭he Texas delegation is working hard to pursue policies that drive economic growth. Texas members of Congress are working shoulder-to-shoulder with Speaker McCarthy and Leader Scalise to put the brakes on an administration that too often would tie up our job creators in red tape.鈥� 

Hamer and Seiden said the two groups stressed in the dozens of meetings they had on Capitol Hill what Texas and Arizona are doing to attract jobs, including from the semiconductor industry. Hamer and Seiden said the implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act, which is designed to spur domestic semiconductor production, is poised to be a shot of adrenaline for their state and national economies. 

鈥淥ur two states are already winning huge investments in the semiconductor space. If I had to bet on two states whose future in semiconductor manufacturing is the brightest, I鈥檇 bet on Texas and Arizona,鈥� Hamer said. 

Seiden agreed, saying the feedback he鈥檚 gotten from chipmakers has been very positive. 

鈥淪peaker McCarthy and Leader Scalise are well aware of what states like Arizona and Texas are doing to attract advanced manufacturers with good-paying jobs,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e look forward to working with them to help advance these sorts of policies at a national level to grow jobs and strengthen our country鈥檚 international competitiveness.鈥�

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The AH-64 Apache Helicopter produced by Boeing has reached 5 million flight in 2023, proving the helicopter鈥檚 versatility and reliability for the U.S. Army after nearly four decades of continuous service. 

The Apache has been built by Boeing in Mesa since its first flight in 1984. Over the last few decades, the U.S. has deployed the A, D, and E-models around the globe as a vital asset to the United States鈥� combat operations.

Five million flight hours roughly equates to more than 208,000 days or nearly 571 years of nonstop flying. More than one million of those flight hours occurred during combat missions. 

鈥淲ith more than five million flight hours, the Apache continues to be reliable, versatile and lethal,鈥� said Katie Yursky, the interim vice president of attack helicopter programs and a senior executive at Boeing鈥檚 Mesa site. 鈥淐ongratulations to the U.S. Army and its Apache aviators on reaching this incredible milestone. Every hour counts, and we look forward to supporting our soldiers on their next milestone and beyond.鈥�

Despite turning 40 next year, neither Boeing or the U.S. has any plans to move on from the Apache anytime soon. In fact, the company is currently installing upgrades to the E-model that include updated software and an improved engine. Additionally, Boeing in October 2022 that the company is developing a modernized Apache concept to meet 鈥渢he Army鈥檚 evolving attack and reconnaissance requirements 鈥� including increased agility, interoperability, lethality, survivability and reach.鈥� 

The new model will not only improve the Apache鈥檚 attack capabilities, it will also employ advanced digital technology as part of the company鈥檚 push towards digital innovation.

Since Boeing opened its manufacturing plant in Mesa in 1982, the company has brought jobs and economic growth to Arizona. As of 2021, the plant more than 4,400 workers at its Mesa plant, making Boeing the third-largest manufacturer in the Phoenix valley. Additionally, Boeing relies on nearly 350 Arizona businesses that act as vendors and suppliers.

Boeing鈥檚 presence in the state only continues to grow with the company recently completing construction on a 155,000-square-foot expansion to the Mesa plant. The new space will be used to produce materials for Boeing鈥檚 next generation of military aircraft. 

鈥淭he new advanced composite fabrication center and the factories that will follow it position Boeing to deliver the most digitally advanced, simply and efficiently produced and intelligently supported aircraft to military customers,鈥� Boeing Defense, Space and Security President and CEO Ted Colbert said.

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Global thought leaders, national business owners, athletes, investors, entertainers, and public officials discussed Arizona鈥檚 booming technology sector and the state鈥檚 economic outlook at the 6th annual invisionAZ Tech Summit at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. 

鈥淎rizona has the potential to become a one-of-a-kind tech hub thanks to well-built, cooperative partnerships, relentless optimism, and an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit from our state鈥檚 forward thinking leaders,鈥� said venture capitalist and Thiel Capital Managing Director Jack Selby in his opening remarks. 

The event provided attendees with a never-before-seen look at the state鈥檚 rapidly growing tech sector and the opportunity to network with the state鈥檚 leading innovators, business executives, and venture capitalists while discussing top-of-mind issues impacting our local, state, and national economies. 

Throughout the tech summit, it became clear that Arizona is becoming a premier destination for investors as groundbreaking innovations occur on the factory floor and in the lab. In fact, a few years ago, if you were to discuss venture capitalism with Valley-based investor Andy Lombard, the conversation wouldn鈥檛 have lasted more than 30 seconds. Today, however, Arizona鈥檚 venture capital market has grown exponentially.

Lombard announced that nonprofit venture capital firm Arizona Venture Development Corp. would be partnering with Arizona鈥檚 largest venture capital firm, AZ-VC, to make venture capital more inclusive and make Arizona a top-10 state for startups to fundraise. 

During the summit, AZ-VC partners Jason Pressman, Ben Brockwell, and Ashok Santhanam unveiled a new plan that will empower local Arizona entrepreneurs through personalized consultations and experiential learning methods to enable future business leaders to succeed in today鈥檚 global economy. 

鈥淭he Elevate Program helps companies with go-to-market strategies,鈥� incoming AZ-VC Managing Director Jason Pressman said. 鈥淥ver and over again, what we see is that great entrepreneurs are typically product-centric. This is a powerful tool that will help companies grow much quicker.鈥�

AZ-VC鈥檚 Elevate will include access to several coaches with seasoned operations executives, content modules surrounding business collateral, and advanced software to analyze critical business functions and increase the velocity of sales, ultimately maximizing each individual company鈥檚 core competencies and differentiators amongst a competitive market. 

The summit then shifted its focus from venture capital to emerging technologies across all sectors. During each panel, it became evident that Arizona鈥檚 diverse tech ecosystem has affected all companies across the state. 

鈥淒ata infrastructure is driving innovation within sports,鈥� said investor and Arizona Cardinals Offensive Lineman Kelvin Beachum during a panel on sports business technology. 

All the panelists concurred that learning as much about their customers as possible is critical to success in a very competitive market. 

For instance, Arizona Coyotes Chief Operations Officer Liz Montano cited the NHL team鈥檚 unique ability to adapt to extraneous circumstances through the use of customer data acquisition technology. 

When the Coyotes were told they needed to move out of Glendale, the organization only had only a few short months to find a new, state-of-the-art facility, ultimately ending up at Mullet Arena at Arizona State University. While the facility is widely considered to be one of the best hockey venues in the NHL, it only includes 4,600 seats and not a lot of assets to sell, making it difficult to reach basic revenue goals. 

Montano and the Coyotes鈥� team had to think creatively to develop new strategies aimed at providing consumers with the best fan experience possible and enable the team to sell unique products outside of the arena. 

For all the panelists, sports, like business, is personal 鈥� it directly and indirectly impacts communities, driving the state economy forward. 

When discussing medical technologies, CEOs Cindy Jordan of Pyx Health and Dave Dvorak of Deep Think Health intensely discussed whether healthcare could be turned over to Artificial Intelligence in the future. While technology quickly advances, both agree these augmentative technologies are decision-making tools to equip doctors, therapists, and physicians with the best information before making proper diagnoses. 

As the MedTech panel reached its close, attorney and moderator Dan Mahoney mentioned the discussion was meant to showcase how fast and how far Arizona technology companies have recently grown, and how prevalent they could become, especially in healthcare. 

At the end of the event, Gov. Katie Hobbs sat down for an interview with University of Arizona President Dr. Robert Robbins to discuss Arizona鈥檚 up and coming, bustling technology ecosystem and everything it has been doing for the state.

Throughout the discussion, the governor touted the state鈥檚 semiconductor manufacturing industry, as the nation becomes less dependent on foreign manufacturing markets for such crucial technology. This discussion comes just days after SEMICON, the nation鈥檚 leading semiconductor and global supply chain symposium, announced its relocation from San Francisco to Phoenix. 

Hobbs also commented on how inclusive Arizona鈥檚 business community has become. She emphasized how the state has encouraged more entrepreneurs to make a difference in their communities, citing how diverse leadership greatly impacts the local economy. 

鈥淎rizona is a place that gives everyone an equal opportunity and chance,鈥� added President Robbins. 

Selby consistently echoed this sentiment throughout the summit, stating, 鈥淣o matter where you come from, your pedigree, your background 鈥� you can make it big in the Arizona business community.鈥�

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This column originally appeared in . 

With another successful Super Bowl in the books, Arizona says goodbye to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who flocked to the Valley this past week, and hello to the hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue that will benefit our state economy for years to come.

Super Bowl LVII marks the fourth time Arizona has hosted the big game, and it鈥檚 easy to see why we鈥檇 be an obvious choice. What better place to spend a few days in February than a state that welcomes out-of-towners with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s? That it happens to coincide with the 鈥淕reatest Show on Grass鈥� certainly doesn鈥檛 hurt.

These are the kinds of events other states clamor for. They provide an unmatched opportunity to showcase Arizona to the world. They generate massive revenue that not only benefits our sales tax base, but also the bottom line for our hoteliers, restaurateurs, retailers and attractions.

Economists estimate that in 2015 the Super Bowl resulted in a nearly $720 million windfall for our state, and Super Bowl LVII is expected to bring a similarly massive boost to the state economy.

It鈥檚 all part of Arizona鈥檚 sports tourism sector, which is responsible for a $24.2 billion contribution to the state鈥檚 Real Gross Domestic Product, according to new from the Common Sense Institute Arizona. The study finds that nearly 350,000 Arizona jobs are directly or indirectly related to the sports and tourism sector.

But those numbers don鈥檛 even tell the full story. They don鈥檛 account, for example, for the long-term and significant business investments that these opportunities create. Because in addition to attracting hundreds of thousands of football fans and tourists to Arizona, the Super Bowl also brings to town the top executives from all over the country 鈥� and gives us a platform to show off the pro-growth policies and talented workforce that have made Arizona among the best places in the nation to do business.

Arizona recognizes the power of the Super Bowl in driving economic activity and business investment, and in 2022 the state created a Major Events Fund to attract and support large-scale events in Arizona. Housed under the Arizona Commerce Authority, the Fund not only helps cover the costs of hosting these events, but also can be used for providing grants to local organizing committee partners and paying for associated economic development activities.

As established under the Fiscal 2023 budget, the state provides $7.5 million annually to the Fund. This year, that appropriation is in doubt, as the funding was removed as part of the governor鈥檚 proposed Fiscal Year 2024 executive budget.

Maintaining the Major Events Fund will become increasingly important as hosting the game becomes increasingly expensive. According to , Arizona had to pledge between $12 million and $13 million to score the Super Bowl in 2008; by 2015, the price tag rose to about $28 million.

Not only is hosting the Super Bowl becoming more expensive, it鈥檚 becoming more competitive every year. We鈥檙e competing with other states that have similar funds and more cities with gleaming new facilities, including next year鈥檚 host Las Vegas, are vying to enter the competition to host a Super Bowl. Keeping our event fund in-tact and as robust as intended in the FY 2023 budget will ensure Arizona continues to have a leg-up in attracting mega events and conventions that might otherwise be held elsewhere.

We know lawmakers have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to negotiating Arizona鈥檚 state budget, and we recognize the need to prioritize wisely and invest in what鈥檚 going to be best for our economic future. If that鈥檚 their commitment, then keeping our Major Events program funded should be a priority.

We all want to see Arizona continue to be a top-tier destination for the Super Bowl and other mega-events, like the NCAA Men鈥檚 Basketball Final Four, which Glendale will host in 2024. We look forward to working with the state Legislature and Gov. Katie Hobbs to ensure this $7.5 million commitment is reflected in the FY 2024 budget. It鈥檚 a small price to pay for the outsized and long-lasting impact it will have on Arizona鈥檚 economy.

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

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Elected officials and business leaders are sounding the alarm on the nearing end of a voter-approved sales tax that funds important transportation projects in Maricopa County.

The half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters under Proposition 400 in November 2004 expires in 2025. The transportation sales tax was by voters in 1985. 

During a roundtable last month with mayors, business leaders, and officials from across the Valley, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., highlighted the importance of Proposition 400 in supporting economic growth in the state. She encouraged community leaders to inform lawmakers of what Proposition 400 will mean 鈥渋n dollars and cents to their constituents.鈥�

Also present was Avondale Mayor and Chairman of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Kenn Weise, who stressed the urgency of securing approval from the state Legislature to send the question to Maricopa County voters. 

鈥淲e are going to be at a critical juncture here in the next six months to a year because it expires at the end of 2025 and transportation in the Valley will come to a halt,鈥� Weise said.

Maricopa County is the only Arizona county that requires legislative and gubernatorial approval before a transportation excise tax question can appear on a countywide ballot.

Since it was established, Proposition 400 funds have been used to fund some of the most significant transportation projects in the Phoenix metropolitan area, such as Loop 101, Loop 202, Loop 303, and light rail investments. Maricopa County leaders that these investments were essential in supporting the economy and enhancing property values, which increased 150% from 2000 to 2019.

In June of last year, the MAG regional council an extension for another 25 years that would include funding for 350 miles of new freeway lanes, 1,300 miles of new arterial road lanes, 12 miles of new light rail, 37 miles of bus rapid transit, and investments in bicycle lanes, air quality, and road safety. The measure was approved by the state Legislature and, with the governor鈥檚 signature, was set to appear before voters in a March 2023 special election.

However, Gov. Doug Ducey on July 6 the bill, surprising many county officials and business leaders who were expecting it to be ratified. 

Since then, Maricopa County leaders to promote the extension this year to lawmakers before the proposition expires. 

鈥淲e need to act, and we need to act now. Quality of life is at risk without an extension to Prop. 400,鈥� said John Bullen, the transportation, economic, and finance program manager at MAG.
At a recent meeting in Mesa, Gov. Katie Hobbs her willingness to work with Maricopa County in extending Prop 400. 鈥淚 can assure everyone in this room that you have a partner in my office to make sure that we are doing it again and getting it across the finish line,鈥� Hobbs said.

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A new from the Common Sense Institute (CSI) found that $24.1 billion and hundreds of thousands of jobs have been generated by Arizona鈥檚 growing sports and tourism sector.

According to the report, the sports and tourism sector employs 11% of Arizona鈥檚 total workforce and accounts for over 6% of the state鈥檚 total gross domestic product.

The state now boasts professional teams in each of the U.S.鈥檚 top four sports leagues, over 30 state parks, and a staggering 24 national parks, including the Grand Canyon. According to CSI, Arizona鈥檚 moderate climate and numerous attractions places the state in a prime position to attract year-round tourism for major sports events such as the Super Bowl and the WM Phoenix Open, along with outdoor activities like golfing and hiking. 

Of the $24.2 billion contributed by sports and tourism, $13.7 billion was generated through 鈥淒irect sales by Arizona鈥檚 hotels, casinos, performance venues, and other components of the state鈥檚 sports & tourism sector in 2022.鈥� One hundred sixty-seven thousand workers are currently employed directly by businesses in the sports and tourism sector with nearly another 200,000 jobs indirectly supported.

According to Katie Ratlief, executive director of the Common Sense Institute, 鈥淎rizona鈥檚 moderate climate, excellent hospitality industry and major event spaces have made it a magnate tourism destination.鈥� 

鈥淭his growing sector is a massive contributor to our economy, and big events like this weekend鈥檚 Super Bowl will only continue the momentum. Arizona鈥檚 hospitality industry is truly the 鈥榳elcome mat鈥� for millions of visitors to our state,鈥� she said.

CSI鈥檚 report finds that the sector has not reached its peak yet. The think tank estimates that over the next 10 years Arizona will see the sports and tourism sector grow on average 3% per year. With Arizona hosting its fourth Super Bowl since 1996, the state鈥檚 ability to consistently attract major events will ensure that the sector can grow in the future.

When Arizona last hosted the Super Bowl in 2015, the Arizona Sports and Tourism authority found that the event contributed more than $719 million dollars alone. CSI and other observers  project that Super Bowl LVII will turn out to be an even bigger event, contributing even more to the growing Arizona economy once the dust settles.

The Super Bowl also offered Arizona the chance to showcase its friendly business environment, as the Arizona Commerce Authority and host committee welcomed CEOs from across the country at a CEO Forum to learn more about why Arizona is a great place to grow a business.

Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden moderated a on the state鈥檚 workforce that featured the presidents of UArizona and Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University Executive Vice President Sally Morton, and Pima Community College Chancellor Lee Lambert, who gave attendees an insider鈥檚 view at how their schools are preparing graduates for today鈥檚 economy.

鈥淭he CEO Forum is the perfect opportunity for business leaders from across the country and even around the world to get an up-close look at why Arizona has one of the nation鈥檚 strongest and most dynamic economies,鈥� Seiden said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just one example of how the sports tourism market is about much more than just what happens on the field.鈥�

Like many other industries, the sports and tourism sector was hit hard by the 2020 pandemic. But since then, the sector has come roaring back even stronger than ever. 

Kim Sabow, the vice chair of the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority Board and the president and CEO of the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association said the sector has faced recent pandemic-induced headwinds, but hosting the Super Bowl brings tremendous momentum

鈥淎rizona鈥檚 sports and tourism industry has been through a lot of challenges over the past three years,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hanks to our operators and our dedicated employees, we鈥檝e come out the other side stronger. This weekend is an opportunity to highlight the value and contributions of our industry to an international audience, and CSI鈥檚 report shows that this is an industry that has a massive ripple effect across all of Arizona.鈥�
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A proposal by state Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, would give more voters a say in what propositions appear on statewide ballots. 

The state Senate Government Committee on Wednesday passed SCR 1015, which would refer to voters the question of whether to require initiative proponents to obtain petition signatures from each legislative district in Arizona. 

The resolution would require a minimum threshold of 10% of the overall required signatures to come from each legislative district in order for a proposition to qualify for the ballot. Turnout from the previous gubernatorial election determines the total number of valid signatures that must be collected.

Proponents say that this measure would ensure that propositions which make the ballot have support from every corner of the state, rather than just its most populous centers.

Under current law, there are no requirements for initiative backers to gather signatures from across the state, so petition circulators can concentrate their efforts in Phoenix and Tucson with no need to pitch their ideas to voters in more rural and exurban areas. 

鈥淚nitiatives are difficult to repeal or fix if there are issues, even technical changes,鈥� Jenna Bentley of the Goldwater Institute said in testimony on the proposal. 鈥淲e feel that it is important that these ballot measures get vetted as well as they possibly can. This just says that if you鈥檙e going to put a measure on the ballot, you need to go to every legislative district to do it.鈥� 

Half of the states that have a citizen initiative process also have a petition signature geographic distribution requirement, including Arizona neighbors Colorado and Utah. 

Progressives on the committee expressed skepticism at giving voters outside metropolitan areas an opportunity to play a role in determining what initiatives secure a spot on the statewide ballot.

鈥淭his is effectively going to allow a single (legislative district) to block the desires of the whole state,鈥� Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe, said. 

The legislation passed the Government Committee on 5-3 party-line vote. Once approved by the full Senate, it will be sent for consideration to the House of Representatives. Ballot referrals are solely at the discretion of the Legislature and do not have to be approved by the governor. 

In addition to the Goldwater Institute, supporters include the Arizona Farm Bureau, the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry, the East Valley 小红帽直播apps of Commerce Alliance, the Arizona chapter of NAIOP, and the United Dairymen of Arizona, among others. 

Opponents include Planned Parenthood of Arizona, the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter and Save Our Schools Arizona. 

If referred to the 2024 ballot, the geographic distribution measure would mark the second consecutive election cycle where voters were faced with an initiative system reform proposal. Voters in 2022 passed Proposition 129, which limits ballot measures to a single subject, and Proposition 132, which requires a measure seeking to raise or institute a new tax to receive at least 60% of votes cast to pass.

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