The initial guesstimate about the effect of the coronavirus shutdown on the Arizona state budget suggests that prudently managed state and local governments can muddle through.
Category Archives: State and local
To what extent is Ducey the boss of us?
There are limits to Ducey’s public health emergency powers, which were exceeded by his executive order banning small business evictions, and perhaps others as well.
Throwing more money at a shutdown economy won’t accomplish much
The only way to help small business on a broad scale is to reopen the economy.
Judges shouldn’t change ballot measure rules
Initiative proponents are asking judges to make it easier for them to qualify than under existing rules they hadn’t previously challenged.
Don’t blame China for U.S. coronavirus response
Yes, China was duplicitous. But that didn’t materially affect what the U.S. did, or when.
Critics are wrong, Ducey has aggressively tried to flatten the coronavirus curve
Passing the skinny budget was the right step
The skinny budget gives the state a sizeable cushion for the inevitable decline in state tax collections. But it might not be enough.
Why Arizona shouldn’t have an anti-gouging law
Price spikes are the only real cure for hoarding.
Was a recession a necessary coronavirus response?
A focus on the vulnerable population might have produced most of the public health benefits with considerably less disruption and economic damage.
Research university oligopoly wins a round
Although the bill was voted down in the Senate Education Committee, the idea of letting community colleges offer four-year degrees is finally gaining traction.