For most of the past 50 years, Pinal County hasn't had to think much about its image, choices, or growth. But now, Pinal County is changing faster than anyone ever imagined. Will Pinal become a distinguishable destination or simply a McMega drive through? If Pinal rises to the occasion, the result can be a vibrant, sustainable, and competitive place that takes advantage of its location. If Pinal fails to choose wisely, its bedroom community future is already visible in the East Valley and subdivisions north of Tucson. Which will it be?

When Arizona's economy depended on the 4Cs – copper, cotton, citrus, and cattle – Pinal County was a leader in 2 of them. These historic sources of wealth and touchstones of heritage still play a role in the county's economy, but dramatic population growth and new economic drivers make this a different, distinctive time. This new era demands new vision, new ideas, and new ways of thinking, even as past strengths are kept in mind.

Co-chairman Bill Post and other members of the Citizens’ Finance Review Commission have identified Arizona’s management of its federal funds as an issue for consideration. To assist the Commission with its deliberations, the co-chairman asked Arizona State University to develop a very brief “think piece” on this matter. As requested, this document intentionally provides only the most basic information on this complex subject. Its primary purpose is to frame the issue for discussion by the Commission and to list alternative ways the state could better manage its substantial grant activity with the federal government each year.

Artist Wayne Rainey’s Shade magazine is a good sign for the Maricopa region. The bi-monthly publication covers contemporary art and culture, supports downtown redevelopment efforts, and works with many institutions to encourage the arts. However, as promising as Shade and other inventive ventures are, the fact remains that the Maricopa metropolitan region is just waking up to the need to recognize and support arts and culture as a critical contributor to a knowledge economy.

At one time, arts and culture have intrinsic value, economic value, and value as tools to further an all-important “sense of place” as well as to aid in such areas as workforce development, education, and community revitalization. As a result, arts and culture both enrich residents’ lives and give places meaning, identity, and economic opportunity.

This report provides statistics and information that give a sense of local arts and culture resources and challenges in the areas of 1) performing, literary, and visual arts; 2) history and preservation; 3) science and nature; 4) landmarks and events.

Arizona is emerging from one of the worst state budget crises in the nation. Entering 2003, its projected deficit, measured as a percentage of the general fund, was the fifth largest in the country.1 The state had slashed spending in 2002 in the face of a $900 million deficit, but still faced a $400 million shortfall for fiscal year 2003 and an estimated $1 billion deficit in fiscal 2004. Although improved revenues have reduced the anticipated gap, fundamental underlying problems remain concerning the ability of lawmakers to control the budget. Some observers consider this a revenue problem, others a spending problem. Our concern in this paper is whether state lawmakers have enough control over either revenue or spending.

Arizona voters will be asked to pass judgment on five measures on the ballot in the November 2018 general election. Four propositions call for amendments to the Arizona Constitution. Two propositions were placed on the ballot by the Legislature, two others through the initiative process and the remaining one via a signature-gathering campaign challenging legislation passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor. As in past years, ASU Morrison Institute for Public Policy examined Arizona’s propositions to offer voters independent and nonpartisan assessments based on relevant documents and views expressed by subject-matter specialists and those who support and oppose particular measures. “Understanding Arizona’s Propositions” will provide information on each ballot proposal, how each came about, what it would do if passed, and its likely impact.

Did you know that it took a U.S. Supreme Court decision to end rural domination in the Arizona Senate and fundamentally change the locus of power in the state? This November 2019 report by ASU Professor Emeritus of Political Science David R. Berman is based on an examination of population, voting, and governmental spending information, relevant archival and secondary sources, and a series of interviews. It focuses on developments affecting urban-rural relations, the attitudes and needs of people in rural communities, and rural influence in the political system at the state level. This report generally compares Arizona’s two most populous counties, Maricopa and Pima, with the remaining 13 counties.

Historically, the prominence of affluent groups and individuals among the contributors to state political campaigns has given rise to fear of a government of “checkbook democracy,” in which successful lawmakers are obligated to those who contribute large sums of money. To reduce wealth’s influence, level the playing field, and address several other problems related to campaign finance, approximately a third of states have instituted some type of public financing program for political candidates. Arizona was the second state in the nation, following Maine, to adopt a clean elections program.

This report examines community concerns and challenges related to extreme heat during a typical year and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It considers which policies have helped address these concerns and challenges and identifies potential opportunities to further support community members with the challenge of extreme heat. The report focuses specifically on American Indian and Latino/a community members, given their disproportionate risk of experiencing detrimental impacts of extreme heat and overlapping risk factors for negative outcomes of COVID-19.