The Veridus Weekly 4-28-17

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Sine Die is coming …

That’s the word on the street, anyway. A vote on the fiscal 2018 budget may come as early as next week. With most non-budget legislative business already wrapped up, that means it is likely the regular session would formally adjourn shortly thereafter. If the session concludes next week, it would rank between the previous two years in terms of length – 112 days compared to a speedy 81 days in 2015 and a more leisurely 117 days in 2016.

This all assumes, of course, the budget is thisclose to an agreement between Governor Ducey and legislative leaders.

While the Governor and GOP legislators were in almost total budget harmony the previous two years, this session brought a new political dynamic as many Republican lawmakers openly opposed a pillar of the 9th floor policy agenda: a $1 billion infrastructure plan for public universities. A compromise on this proposal appears to be in the offing.

Other budgetary sticking points have included: teacher pay, performance funding and capital construction for K-12; highway funding; and state support to mitigate the impact of the minimum wage increase on certain contractors that work with individuals who have developmental disabilities.

Oh, and a tax cut. Governor Ducey pledged to reduce taxes each year he’s in office. The cut he initially proposed for next year, however, is about ¼ the size of the reduction sought by House Republicans.

CONFIRMED: Jason Barraza to Serve on Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments

Ducey Appointment Confirmed Tuesday by AZ Senate

Phoenix, AZ – Veridus LLC is excited to announce that Senior Associate Director Jason Barraza has officially been named to the Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments.

Barraza, appointed by Gov. Ducey in February to fill a vacancy on the 16-member Commission, was approved last week by the Senate Judiciary Committee, and confirmed this Monday by the full body of the Arizona State Senate.

“I’m humbled and honored to have had the support of so many friends and colleagues throughout this process,” said Barraza. “I especially want to thank Governor Ducey for the opportunity to serve, and members of the Arizona State Senate for entrusting me with this great responsibility.”

Under Arizona’s judicial merit selection system, the Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments is a nonpartisan committee charged with investigating and evaluating applicants for judgeships in Maricopa County, and recommending at least three candidates to the Governor for consideration.

By law, the Commission must include 10 public members and 5 attorneys. Barraza will serve as the Attorney Member representing Maricopa County District 3 for a term expiring in January 2019.

From all of us at Veridus: Congratulations, Jason!
 

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Peoria, Surprise and Sun Cities get new representative in Arizona Legislature    

Former Peoria City Councilman Ben Toma is the newest state lawmaker, taking his seat in the closing days of the 53rd session.

The Arizona Republic

Toma, a Republican, represents Legislative District 22 which covers the far northwest Valley, including Peoria, the Sun City retirement communities and Surprise. He replaces Phil Lovas, who resigned earlier this month to take a position with the U.S. Small Business Association under the Trump administration.

He was sworn in by former lawmaker Adam Driggs, now a Maricopa County Superior Court judge.

[...] Toma was the unanimous choice of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors from three nominees recommended by GOP precinct committeemen in his district.

Supervisor Clint Hickman said he believes Toma is well suited to wade into the Legislature as the budget is the hot topic.

[...] Toma will serve out the remainder of Lovas' term, which expires in January 2019.

[...] Read more HERE.

Trump's executive order puts 4 national monuments in Arizona in jeopardy

The Arizona Republic

Four national monuments in Arizona, covering almost 2 million acres, will be reviewed under the executive order issued Wednesday by President Donald Trump.

All four were created by President Bill Clinton in 2000 and 2001. Most are overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, except for Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, where the National Park Service works with the BLM.

[...] In asking Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke for an unprecedented review of national monuments, Trump may force a question never before tested in the 111-year history of the Antiquities Act: Whether one president can nullify a previous president's proclamation establishing a national monument.

There are 18 national monuments in Arizona, the most of any state. The four under review are:

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, 1 million acres, north of the Grand Canyon, created by Clinton in 2000.

Ironwood Forest National Monument, 128,917 acres, northwest of Tucson, created by Clinton in 2000.

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, 279,568 acres, north of the Grand Canyon, created by Clinton in 2000.

Sonoran Desert National Monument, southwest of Phoenix, 486,146 acres, created by Clinton in 2001.

[...] The executive order asks for Zinke to review monuments designated over the past 21 years and provide a report within 120 days. But the report makes a special case for the Bears Ears monument — one of Obama's last official acts in office — by asking for an interim report in 45 days.

The review applies only to national monuments of 100,000 acres or more, and so would exempt many of the smaller monuments proclaimed by Obama for their cultural or historical significance.

[...] Read more HERE.

 

Veridus clients in the news

Guest Opinion: Investment in universities leads to huge payoff, high-paying jobs

By Eileen Klein and Glenn Hamer
Arizona Capitol Times


The case for Governor Doug Ducey’s infrastructure plan for public universities comes down to one word: Jobs.

We’re talking about quality, high-paying jobs – the kind provided by employers that demand a trained, educated workforce. The fundamental tie between higher education and the economy is the reason business and community leaders from across Arizona have thrown their support behind the Ducey plan.

Consider: In fiscal 2015, Arizona’s three public universities were responsible for an estimated 102,000 jobs and $11.1 billion in total economic impact. The economic oomph generated by our public universities is equivalent to hosting a Super Bowl in our state approximately every three weeks for a year.

What’s more, this analysis doesn’t take into account the spin-off businesses created by university students and faculty members, nor the economic contributions of companies that have specifically chosen to locate here in order to recruit our graduates and leverage the research and development occurring on our campuses.

A simple plan

But this kind of university-driven economic engine wasn’t created by happenstance. It is the result of years of careful stewardship, investment and planning by generations of Arizona leaders. Governor Ducey’s new plan is a worthy successor to these past efforts.

Ingenious in its simplicity, the governor’s proposal would allow Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona to reclaim the sales tax these institutions pay each time they make a purchase. Across the state, this would save our public universities an estimated $37 million annually. When matched with university funds, these dollars would enable $1 billion in bonding capacity over 30 years to pay for the construction of university research and development facilities, as well as address a backlog in critical repairs and maintenance totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.

All of this, and without raising taxes a single penny!

Past results point to big payoff

Any business leader worth his or her salt would ask for a projected return on investment before embarking on a capital campaign like this. When it comes to our public universities, recent history tells us the ROI will be significant.

In 2003, the Arizona Legislature authorized an annual appropriation of $35 million to construct roughly $500 million worth of university research facilities. These projects included the Biodesign Institute at ASU, plus UofA’s Keating Bioresearch Building and Arizona Biomedical Collaborative 1 on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. At NAU, the Applied Research and Development facility has enabled the university to expand its research in the areas of national defense and infectious disease.

The results are in: Since the state’s investment in 2003, research activity conducted at Arizona’s public universities has increased 77 percent and now totals nearly
$1.1 billion each year. University invention disclosures have increased 154 percent. Degrees awarded in high-demand fields, including key STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields, have increased 40 percent in the past six years alone.

Future economy demands university investment

Building upon these university investments is even more critical in this evolving global economy.

By 2020, it is estimated that two out of every three U.S. jobs will require some kind of postsecondary education. Education and training are an imperative for students. Meanwhile, the competition among states for quality employers has never been more fearsome.

Arizona’s public universities are the vital link to ensure we are preparing future generations for the workplace and positioning our state as a desirable location for the best companies and employers.

These are among the reasons our organizations enthusiastically support Governor Ducey’s plan. We are proud to stand in this effort with business and economic groups from every corner of Arizona, including the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Leadership, Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Yuma Chamber of Commerce, Northern Arizona Leadership Alliance and many more.

What these and other groups recognize is a vote for the governor’s universities plan is a vote for good jobs and economic development. We ask that legislators who are similarly concerned about these issues join us. Let’s get this done.

Eileen Klein is president of the Arizona Board of Regents
Glenn Hamer is president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry


5 of the nation's top 10 high schools are Arizona charter schools

The Arizona Republic

Five of the nation's top 10 high schools are in Arizona — and they're all branches of the same charter school.

According to U.S. News and World Report, Basis Scottsdale is the nation's top-performing high school, followed by Basis Tucson North and Basis Oro Valley. Basis Peoria and Basis Chandler were ranked fifth and seventh, respectively.

The rankings consider students who exceeded state standards, graduation rates and college preparedness, according to U.S. News.

Two additional Arizona charter schools, along with two "special function" public schools, made the top 100.

Arizona was one of the earliest adopters of charter schools in 1994, and it continues to be at the forefront of school choice. However, the state has some of the lowest school funding and teacher pay in the U.S.

[...] Rigorous curriculum, limited seats

For the past several years, Basis schools placed near the top of the annual rankings, but this year marks the first time Basis captured the top three spots.

[...] Bezanson said the secret to success lies in recruiting the best teachers and giving them teaching freedom.

The schools follow the College Board's Advanced Placement standards, and students are expected to take — and pass — AP tests. The average Basis student passes 11 AP tests by graduation, Bezanson said.

Basis operates 18 schools in Arizona, varying in offerings from kindergarten through 12th grade. A vast majority of Basis high-school students started with Basis in middle school or earlier, Bezanson said.

[...] There are no entry requirements or exams to get into a Basis school — just a game of luck. An annual lottery determines which new students are accepted.

Already, Basis schools have received 15,000 applications for 1,000 open spots for next school year, Bezanson said.

[...] Read more HERE.

Veridus is proud to represent a true “who’s who” roster of premier members of the business community. The Veridus Weekly has proven to be an excellent opportunity to highlight key announcements, activities, etc. If you would like to feature something in an upcoming issue, reply to this email or send information to info@veridus.com.

In case you missed it . . .

Arizona news:

GOP lawmakers stymie bid to vote on Equal Rights Amendment

Phoenix-area small businesses optimistic despite minimum-wage hikes

Senators ease requirements for teacher certifications

Governor Ducey signs bill to crack down on deadbeat parents

5 things to watch for in Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton's State of the City speech

Court rules bail not a right for accused rapists

Ducey's solution to Arizona's teacher shortage: Make it easier to become one

Bill passes prohibiting state or local governments from conducting database searches before gun sales

Arizona Board Of Education Votes 7-2 To Approve New School Grading System

Lawmakers approve bill asking schools to do more on dyslexia

Bill passes prohibiting state or local governments from conducting database searches before gun sales

Feds prevent Arizona from importing execution drugs
 
 
National news:

House passes stopgap bill to avoid government shutdown

Republicans won't vote on ObamaCare replacement bill this week

FCC Chief Reveals Net Neutrality Rollback

Freedom Caucus gets to yes on healthcare

The Numbers Don’t Lie — Trump’s First 100 Days Put Big Business Before Hardworking Families

Republicans finalize new Obamacare repeal proposal

The Emerging Strategy for Capitalizing on Women's Unprecedented Interest in Politics

Judge blocks Trump’s order on sanctuary cities

Bernie and Friends to Reintroduce National $15 Minimum Wage

Trump’s wall jams GOP in shutdown talks

Sonny Perdue confirmed as Agriculture secretary
 
 
 

 

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