None of us has a crystal ball, but we can be certain that our water future will require a variety of adaptive changes. We must adjust to reduced availability of Colorado River water and adjust to enhanced regulation of groundwater uses. This regulation will come in various forms. For the first time in decades, additional groundwater basins have been designated for … [More]
Arizona Chamber Celebrates Legislative Wins for Job Creators, Economic Development, and Pro-Business Climate
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry is proud to announce a host of legislative wins this session that will pave the way for further economic development, preserve Arizona’s pro-growth business climate, and protect our citizen initiative process from out-of-state special interests. The Chamber is particularly grateful for the passage of HB 2809, priority … [More]
As the Legislature Adjourns Again, Much Has Been Accomplished
The 2023 Legislative Session has recessed and is expected to come back again July 31. Much has been accomplished focused on keeping the Arizona economy moving forward with investments. The legislature and Governor Katie Hobbs created new laws related to Transportation, Economic Development, Water, and Education. Unlike prior years, each legislator was given a sum of money to … [More]
General Obligation (GO) Bond Program Gets Chamber Support
The Greater Phoenix Chamber proudly supports the 2023 $500 million General Obligation (GO) Bond program to revitalize and improve the city’s infrastructure and services. We applaud the implementation of the program without raising tax rates. Typically, GO Bond principal and interest payments are backed by secondary property taxes. Phoenix City Council approved the GO Bond … [More]
Phoenix’s Cool Pavement Program Hits 100-Mile Mark
The Phoenix Street Transportation Department has applied the innovative cool pavement seal coat to 100 miles of city streets. Mayor Kate Gallego, and Vice Mayor and District 7 Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari joined with community members, media and city staff to celebrate the milestone on Tuesday in Estrella. The most recent neighborhood streets to receive the cool seal … [More]
Governor Hobbs Unveils 100-Year Study to Protect Valley Groundwater Supplies; Announces $40M Investment in Arizona Water Resiliency Fund
Last week, Governor Katie Hobbs unveiled the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA) Groundwater Model and the Arizona Department of Water Resources’ latest study of groundwater conditions across the Phoenix metropolitan area. The groundwater model evaluates water level changes after 100 years of existing and projected pumping, and gives water managers critical information to … [More]
Governor Hobbs Names New Chief of Staff
Governor Hobbs announced that Chad Campbell, former House Democratic Leader and longtime public affairs and policy consultant, will become chief of staff to the governor on Monday, June 5th. “As House Democratic Leader, Chad Campbell effectively led his caucus and worked across the aisle to get big things done for the State of Arizona,” said Governor Hobbs. “While we served … [More]
Arizona, California, and Nevada Governors Announce Lower Basin Plan to Protect Colorado River
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo announced that the Colorado River Lower Basin States have developed a plan to conserve 3 million acre-feet over the next three years to protect the Colorado River system. “The Lower Basin Plan is the product of months of tireless work by our water managers to develop an agreement … [More]
Region to Address Unsheltered Homelessness through New Federal Program
The Maricopa region is teaming up with the White House and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) to participate in ALL INside, a first-of-its kind initiative to address unsheltered homelessness. (Watch the launch event live at 11 a.m. on YouTube highlighting Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Mesa Mayor John Giles) As part of ALL INside, the region will … [More]
Voters Decline to Move Tempe Entertainment District Forward
An Arizona Coyotes hockey arena, hotels, apartments, restaurants and retail will not move forward at Priest Drive and Rio Salado Parkway now that residents have voted to decline the Tempe Entertainment District. Tempe voters have spoken and we respect their voices. The Tempe City Council's unanimous vote in November 2022 to move the Tempe Entertainment District forward, … [More]
State Cracks Down on Fraudulent Medicaid Providers
Governor Hobbs, alongside Attorney General Mayes, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Martin Harvier, AHCCCS Director Carmen Heredia, representatives from 13 tribal nations, and law enforcement, announced actions against over 100 Medicaid behavioral health residential and outpatient treatment service providers believed to be engaging in fraud. These providers … [More]
Tempe Votes in Tempe Entertainment District Project Special Election Today
Voters have options for casting their ballots on Propositions 301, 302 and 303 as part of the city’s Special Election on the Tempe Entertainment District. In November, the City Council unanimously approved the resolutions/ordinances for the Tempe Entertainment District project. Three aspects of the primarily privately funded proposal from Bluebird Development, the affiliate … [More]
Governor Hobbs Announces Arizona’s Title 42 Preparedness Approach
Ahead of the lifting of Title 42, Governor Hobbs today announced the state’s five-point preparedness approach outlining Arizona’s priorities for managing the expected influx of migrants. At the press conference, Hobbs was joined by DPS Director Jeffrey Glover, DEMA-EM Allen Clark, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls, and Representative Mariana … [More]
Phoenix Names Transit Center for Former Councilmember Thelda Williams
The City of Phoenix is naming a new transit center, currently being built at Metrocenter, for former District 1 City Council Member and Mayor Thelda Williams. The transit center will be located under the elevated light rail station – currently under construction - as part of the Northwest Light Rail Extension Phase II (NWEII) project. Former Councilmember Williams served on … [More]
Phoenix Sky Harbor Bond Rating Upgrade with Record Passenger Numbers Echo Tourism Recovery
Moody's Investors Services raised its long-term rating to Aa2 from Aa3 on Phoenix Civic Improvement Corporation's (CIC) senior-lien general airport revenue bonds (GARBs) and raised its long-term rating to Aa3 from A1 on CIC's junior-lien GARBs, issued on behalf of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Both credits have stable outlooks. Moody's also assigns Aa2 to … [More]
Phoenix’s Community and Economic Development Department Launches Website to Connect Those Wanting to Do Business With Phoenix
Phoenix’s Community and Economic Development department has launched Investinphoenix.com, a new website that provides a one-stop destination for site selectors, businesses, developers, entrepreneurs and investors interested in doing business in Phoenix. At a time when Phoenix is experiencing a surge in economic growth, Investinphoenix.com is a central hub for business … [More]
Street Count Shows Continued Rise in Homelessness
The number of people experiencing homelessness continues to increase in Maricopa County, although the number of people on the street did decline slightly over the previous count. 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) Report Numbers released today from the federally mandated, one day “point-in-time” count conducted in January show 9,642 people experiencing homelessness within the … [More]
Governor Announces First-of-Its-Kind Cross-Border Electric Truck Pilot Program
Alongside Governor Durazo, Governor Hobbs announced a first-of-its-kind Cross-Border Electric Trucking Pilot Program that will build businesses, create jobs, and help preserve Arizona’s natural resources and climate. This program will help ensure Arizona is leading the world into the green economy future. “Mexico is the strongest link in Arizona’s supply chain, and as … [More]
