Even when commercial development occurs on land previously tax-exempt, such as the State Farm complex on ASU land at Tempe Town Lake, allowing it to remain tax-exempt robs other taxing jurisdictions of the benefits of commercial property growth.
Does Trump believe his National Security Strategy? Does it matter?
The white paper says that the chief threat to the United States is geopolitical competition with China and Russia. Trump barely mentioned it in passing.
Trump wins one, loses one in the courts
In recent court decisions, Trump won one (travel ban) and lost one (defunding sanctuary cities). In both cases, the courts got the separation of powers right.
Is tax reform a winner or a loser?
Taxes, North Korea, Trump, and the Arizona political highlights of 2017.
Ducey puts compassionate conservatism front and center
In his annual report, there’s not much of Ducey the crusading conservative reformer who ran for election in 2014.
Some people genuinely believe in the GOP tax reform bill
McCain and Flake aren’t “putting party above country” in voting for the GOP tax reform bill. And what’s the case, moral or economic, for taking 45 percent of the next dollar anyone earns, however rich?
After Alabama, does a Trump endorsement mean anything? Will Alabama travel to Arizona?
A two-step approach to education funding is better
A group of businessmen proposes going to the ballot with a big tax hike in 2020. That puts at risk funding the schools already have.
Dark money disclosure isn’t black and white
A proposed Tempe charter amendment/ordinance and a statewide initiative requires independent expenditure campaigns to report the “original source” of their funding. That’s not always clear.