Goldwater Institute

Many Arizona property owners have learned the hard way that municipalities are free to change zoning classifications and thereby "downzone" parcels of land. Also, local governments may change the zoning restrictions or requirements included in zoning ordinances. Such government actions frequently diminish the value of landowner's properties and destroy investments.

Using a statistical model the VisionEcon Dynamic Revenue Model this study estimates the economic effects of repealing the corporate and personal income taxes in Arizona. In particular, it examines three specific proposals: two Goldwater Institute proposals and a proposal by former state treasurer Carol Springer. Under all three scenarios, repealing the income tax in Arizona would generate substantial employment and personal income growth when compared to the baseline trend.

A suitable unemployment insurance (UI) policy should work to promote employment. Essentially unchanged since its inception in the 1930s, the existing UI system actually works against employment. The current system increases average time spent unemployed and leads to a substantial number of temporary layoffs.

In November 2002, the Arizona Office of the Auditor General (OAG) released a report on school districts' administrative spending that found, on average, small school districts spent more per pupil than large districts. In response, the Arizona State Legislature established a commission to study the potential savings from statewide school district consolidation.

On May 11, 1993, Jack and Isabelle McVaugh and other prominent members of the Phoenix community held a press conference at Olympic boxer Michael Carbajal's gym, announcing the formation of Arizona School Choice Trust (ASCT). The privately funded scholarship program would give low-income students in Maricopa County the opportunity to attend private school. Within 10 days of announcing the scholarships, ASCT had 500 students on its waiting list.