Lake Mead is currently 16 feet below where it was this time last year and the reservoir is only 37% full, while Lake Powell is down 35 feet from last year and sits at just 34% of the lake’s total capacity.
Fitch Downgrades Scottsdale, AZ IDR, Excise Tax Revs to ‘AA+’ from ‘AAA’; GOs Affirmed at ‘AAA’
The downgrade of Scottsdale’s IDR [Issuer Default Rating] to ‘AA+’ from ‘AAA’ is due to concern that the city’s financial resilience cushion, combined with its constrained independent revenue-raising ability, increase its vulnerability to periodic downturns given the heavy dependence on economically sensitive revenues… — Read on www.fitchratings.com/research/us-public-finance/fitch-downgrades-scottsdale-az-idr-excise-tax-revs-to-aa-from-aaa-gos-affirmed-at-aaa-13-05-2020
Arizona tax breaks total $600 million, but oversight is lacking
Critics of Arizona’s tax credits argue the government is giving up money instead of spending on priorities such as public schools and roads. — Read on www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2019/12/20/arizona-tax-breaks-total-600-million-but-oversight-lacking/2700292001/
Scottsdale Police Still Classify Many Rapes as False or Baseless | Phoenix New Times
So typical of SPD administration, particularly Chief Rodbell, who never saw a statistic he couldn’t misuse. Many of these cases undoubtedly trace back to Scottsdale’s bar district, from where property owners and bar operators donate massively to the political campaigns of Mayor Jim Lane, and council members Suzanne Klapp, Virginia Korte, and Linda Milhaven. High […]
How the South Won the Civil War | The New Yorker
Resilience and resistance are the same activity, seen at different moments in the struggle. A good, long read from Adam Gopnik. Source: How the South Won the Civil War | The New Yorker
ASU gave away $37 million to a Texas billionaire in hotel deal, Arizona attorney general says
ASU gave away $37 million to a Texas billionaire in hotel deal, Arizona attorney general says — Read on amp.azcentral.com/amp/3366789002
General Plan Update: The Best Bad Idea We Have?
Our local “indy” newspaper printed a letter from Don Henninger a couple of days ago regarding the state of the local political climate, and Scottsdale’s aggravatingly-persistent General Plan Update. It reminded me of a scene from the Ben Affleck film, Argo, about the CIA rescue of the US Embassy hostages from Iran in 1981, under […]
What the public isn’t told about high-performing charter schools in Arizona – The Washington Post
“In 2015-16, only 1.23 percent of the students at BASIS charter schools had a learning disability, as compared to 11.3 percent of students in the state. BASIS schools had no English Language Learners. And in a state in which over 47 percent of all students received free or reduced- priced lunch, BASIS had none. Although […]
Charter school real estate
McCarty said she is in the process of selling the school buildings to another charter school operator.
Scottsdale proposes 35 year/$35 mil lease of Papago complex from Phoenix, to keep Giants in the Valley (no cost to Phoenix) – Story | KSAZ
One of the most ridiculous proposals I’ve heard from a city full of ridiculousness. The proposed plan involves the City of Scottsdale leasing the complex for 35 years and spending $35 million along with the Giants to upgrade the facility, adding a parking lot and also improving hiking trails in the area.”The Giants will have […]