City & Local Reform
There are almost 90,000 local governments in America, with an average of one new local government born every day. Many are unaccountable to taxpayers and special interest-driven, and the Goldwater Institute’s “New Charter for American Cities” gives citizens the tools they need to fight City Hall and hold their local governments accountable.
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New state law requires cities and counties to challenge intrusive federal rules
Posted on May 05, 2010 | Type: Blog | Author: Nick DraniasLast week, Governor Jan Brewer signed into law Senate Bill 1398, which mandates that local governments enforce their “coordination rights” against federal agencies. This new law enlists Arizona cities, counties and special districts in the fight against an overreaching federal government.
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It's Time to Shine Light on Wasteful Spending at the Local Level
Posted on March 26, 2010 | Type: Op-Ed | Author: Nick DraniasWhen Phoenix realized that it faced a projected $245 million budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year, new City Manager David Cavazos requested that every department submit proposed budget reductions ranging from 7 to 25 percent. Those proposals were placed on his desk in November and early December. But when the Goldwater Institute asked for them, they disappeared into a black hole.
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Phoenix city budget still doesn't reflect changing times
Posted on March 04, 2010 | Type: Blog | Author: Byron SchlomachAdapt and overcome. This is part of a Marine Corps mantra born of a resource scarcity the service suffered when its equipment consisted mostly of hand-me-downs from the Army.
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Property Tax Exemptions Shift Burden to Neighbors
Posted on February 18, 2010 | Type: Press ReleasePHOENIX--Some Arizona cities that recruit major shopping malls and high-rise buildings have used a special tax incentive that waives most of the development's property taxes, often for 50 years or longer.
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Scottsdale and Tempe don't need higher hotel taxes
Posted on February 10, 2010 | Type: Blog | Author: Byron SchlomachOn March 9, Scottsdale and Tempe voters will decide whether to approve a two percentage point increase in their cities’ tax on hotel room rentals. In both cities, hotel associations seem united in support of the measures.
