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Today’s Top Issue: Financial Fraud Is Costing Arizonans Billions
Arizonans are expected to lose $4 billion to financial fraud in 2025 alone, including reported and unreported cases, according to CSI’s recent report.
The Personal Price:
• $521 million in fraud was reported in 2024
• Equivalent to $69 per Arizonan or $182 per household
• That’s like adding a 4–8% increase to your annual income tax bill
• Average loss per fraud incident in Arizona: $6,270—29% higher than the national average
READ THE REPORT
Tackling America’s Housing Shortage
A shortage of over 4.7 million homes has created cascading economic and social challenges. At the U.S. Chamber’s inaugural Housing Summit, business leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders convened to discuss robust, bipartisan, and lasting solutions for increasing the housing supply.
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Arizona to consider speed-limiting devices to improve road safety
Key Points:
- Arizona lawmaker proposes bill to limit excessive speeders
- Speeding accounted for one-third of vehicle crash fatalities in 2024
- Arizona would start a competitive bidding process for approved device providers
An Arizona representative is trying to make the state’s roads safer by using new technology to tether excessive and frequent speeders to the posted speed limits.
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Arizona invests in infrastructure for flying cars
Key Points:
- State leaders want to position the state to be at the forefront of Advanced Air Mobility
- Sen. David Farnsworth has been meeting with industry leaders to discuss the issue
- Farnsworth views Advanced Air Mobility as part of a bigger strategy to modernize transportation in the state
Sen. David Farnsworth is optimistic that Arizona can see air taxis flying through the state in the near future.
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Helping Local Businesses Tackle High Child Care Costs
Child care challenges are hitting businesses hard, leading to increased absenteeism, turnover, and a shrinking talent pool.
- With child care costs consuming up to 30% of family income, many parents are forced out of the workforce.
Congress addressed this issue by enhancing the Employer-Provided Child Care Credit in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law earlier this year. The revamped credit offers higher rates, expanded caps, and allows small businesses to pool resources—making it easier for employers to invest in child care solutions.
Child care shortages cost states an average of $1 billion annually in lost economic activity.
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Home Builders Association raises concerns over new Ag-to-Urban program
Key Points:
- Ag-to-Urban allows farmers to trade irrigated land for residential development
- Program aims to minimize water use and expand housing opportunities
- Its complex application process may deter some farmers
With Arizona’s Ag-to-Urban program now offering farmers new means to trade in their irrigated land to residential developers, some have begun expressing skepticism over the program’s rules and effectiveness.
Ag-to-Urban officially went into effect on Sept. 26, allowing farmers to trade in their irrigation rights and sell their farmland to developers.
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Small Businesses Feel the Effects of the Government Shutdown
The federal government shutdown is already one of the longest in American history, and there does not appear to be a quick resolution in sight.
- From delayed permits to lost sales, the impacts on businesses of all sizes are real and growing.
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The U.S. Chamber urges policymakers to act swiftly to reopen the government.
The shutdown harms businesses of all types across the country, affecting local economies and American workers.
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Arizona Supreme Court to weigh in on election manual makeover
Key Points:
- State high court weighs whether EPM must follow Administrative Procedures Act
- Republicans argue EPM lacks exemption from full administrative process
- State warns compliance could complicate election administration statewide
The Arizona Supreme Court is now weighing whether to require the creation of the Elections Procedures Manual to comply with the state’s statutory rulemaking scheme.
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Labor Department warns of food price hikes as immigration crackdown threatens farm labor
Key Points:
- US Department of Labor acknowledges immigration crackdown may lead to fewer farm workers
- Labor costs are a major component of agricultural costs, especially in specialty crop sectors
- A 10% decrease in the agricultural workforce could lead to a 4.2% drop in production
The U.S. Department of Labor is formally acknowledging that the crackdown on illegal immigration could result in fewer farm workers and higher food prices.
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More District Schools are Closing
Scottsdale Unified School District may soon close two schools, and it’s part of a much broader statewide trend. So far in 2025, 23 district schools have closed across Arizona. CSI is live-tracking these closures to bring transparency to Arizona’s changing education landscape.
LIVE TRACKING: Arizona District School Closures Dashboard
State budget analysts give bleak forecast ahead of federal H.R. 1 changes
Key Points:
- State budget analysts warns of increasing costs and insufficient funds
- New federal Medicaid requirements and tax law changes will impact state budget significantly
- Budget analysts project the state needs more than $1 billion to conform to federal policy
Budget analysts on a legislative Finance Advisory Committee gave a bleak budget outlook for the next legislative session, projecting the state only has $67 million to spend in 2027.
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Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Announces Bid for Re-Election
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs officially announced her campaign for reelection, emphasizing a pragmatic approach to her bid in a politically divided state where garnering Republican support will be essential.
A well-functioning economy requires a functioning government
Government shutdowns are harmful to the economy, the American people, and U.S. national security.
The U.S. government shutdown began on October 1, when Congress and the Administration could not reach an agreement to continue funding the federal government.
Government shutdowns disrupt essential services, harm businesses, and create uncertainty for millions of Americans. They also weaken national security and economic stability.
By the numbers:
- $11 billion: Economic loss from the 2018-2019 shutdown.
- 438,944: New business applications delayed during a shutdown.
- 6,291: SBA-backed loans that would not be processed.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is urging Congress to pass bipartisan funding measures to avoid shutdowns and their damaging consequences. Businesses and communities rely on a functioning government to thrive
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The Potential Cost of Job-Killing Bills in Arizona
88 bills introduced in the 2025 legislative session would have raised costs for Arizona businesses through higher taxes, labor mandates, and environmental regulations.
While none of the 88 bills identified were enacted, their cumulative cost—more than $45.9 billion per year—offers a clear warning about what’s at stake if Arizona veers off its pro-growth path.
READ THE REPORT
Arizona minimum wage set to rise to $15.15 an hour in January
- Arizona’s minimum wage will rise to $15.15 an hour on January 1
- The increase is due to annual adjustments for inflation, as required by state laws
- Arizona’s inflation rate through August hit 2.9%, the highest since 2021
Arizona will soon require workers to be paid at least $15.15 an hour.
New figures Thursday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that year-over-year inflation through August hit 2.9%.
READ THE REPORT
Arizona held an off-year election.
While no statewide or legislative races occurred, several local races of note were decided.
Proposition 409
At the time of reporting, voters in Maricopa County narrowly approved an $898 million bond package for ValleyWise Health, Maricopa County’s public hospital.
Apache Junction
Voters approved extending the length someone could serve as mayor.
Avondale
At the time of reporting, voters barely approved $123 million in bonds for improvement projects.
Chandler
Voters approved $475 million in bonds to pay for public safety, streets, and parks;
term limits for Councilmembers and Mayor;
and a ballot measure addressing appointment and removal of the city manager.
Glendale
At the time of reporting, voters narrowly approved $65 million in bonds for flood control and supporting city facilities.
Mesa
Voters ousted Mesa District 2 Councilmember Julie Spilsbury and voted in political newcomer Dorean Taylor.
Tucson
Ward 3: Kevin Dahl defeated Janet Wittenbraker
Ward 5: Selina Barajas ran unopposed
Ward 6: Miranda Schubert defeated Jay Tolkoff
Maricopa County results can be found here.
Pima County results can be found here.
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