Goldwater Institute

Phoenix-According to new Census Bureau figures, Maricopa County grew faster than any other county in the nation during the fifteen months from April 2000 to July 2001. While some see this growth as a cause for alarm, Goldwater Institute economist Robert Franciosi believes that Maricopa's vigorous growth is a reflection of its high quality of life.

Phoenix-According to an AP report, Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Ruth Solomon (D-Tucson) has proposed suspending tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations along with tax credits for extracurricular activities, arguing the state could save $45 to $50 million. Goldwater Institute executive director Darcy Olsen disputes the wisdom-and the purported cost savings-of suspending the scholarship tax credit.

Phoenix, AZ-The Arizona Republic proclaimed in its lead story Saturday, March 23, that "School tax credits fail poor." But that claim is based on a misleading report released today by the Education Policy Research Unit at Arizona State University.

Phoenix, AZ-If you are an Arizona taxpayer and have a professional prepare your taxes, beware. In an effort to save you five dollars, the accountant may have signed you up to support the state's Clean Elections scheme. Goldwater Institute scholar Robert Franciosi warns Arizona taxpayers that some tax preparation services automatically check the little box on the state's form 140, thereby volunteering the taxpayer to provide a tax-credited contribution to the Clean Elections fund. Taxpayers who do not look carefully at their returns may end up supporting candidates with whom they disagree.

Phoenix, AZ-With a $1.5 billion debt looming overhead, Arizona's policymakers are rushing to plug the state's leaky coffers. According to news reports, a handful of legislators have put the state's nationally renowned education scholarship