🗳️ Ballots are out! Between the candidates, propositions, school bonds and local tax measures, there's A LOT to unpack. And some of the decisions closest to home could have a real impact on your wallet. CSI has released nonpartisan, data-driven regional ballot guides to help you understand what's being proposed, what it could cost and what it could mean for your community. 📍 We've got you covered across Arizona with ballot guides for: - Central Arizona - Northern Arizona - Southern & Western Arizona No political spin. Just the facts behind the measures on your ballot. 🔗 Check out the guides before you vote: commonsenseinstituteus.org/r…

According to the latest CSI analysis of BLS data, Arizona's private sector lost 2,800 jobs in September, while government employment added 2,500. Professional and business services saw the largest decline, losing 1,600 jobs. See which industries are gaining and losing jobs in CSI's latest Labor Force Update: bit.ly/4zLvwGa

What will the 2026 election results mean for Arizona, and what's next at the State Capitol? Join Common Sense Institute Arizona and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership for a special post-election Coffee & Common Sense as we unpack the 2026 election results, discuss the issues shaping Arizona's future, and look ahead to the 2027 legislative session. 📅 Tuesday, November 17 ⏰ 9:00 AM Featuring panelists: Laddie Shane, President of Roosevelt Strategy Group Joe Wolf, Founder of Fillmore Partners The election will be over, but the conversations about Arizona's future will be just getting started. REGISTER TODAY: bit.ly/4BhTY3M

New CSI research finds that Arizona shed another 300 jobs in September, marking two consecutive months of job losses. Learn more: bit.ly/4zLvwGa

Ballots are out, election season is in full swing, and big decisions are ahead for Arizona! What will the results mean for Arizona, and what's next at the State Capitol? Join Common Sense Institute Arizona and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership for a special post-election Coffee & Common Sense as we unpack the 2026 election results, discuss the issues shaping Arizona's future, and look ahead to the 2027 legislative session. 📅 Tuesday, November 17 ⏰ 9:00 AM The election will be over, but the conversations about Arizona's future will be just getting started. REGISTER TODAY: commonsenseinstituteus.org/e…

CSI's latest analysis of BLS employment data found that Arizona's unemployment rate has been steadily increasing, reaching a new post-pandemic high of 4.8%. Learn more: bit.ly/4ydGO5S

Arizona's childcare shortage is putting pressure on families and the workforce. CSI research shows this is a statewide challenge. In 2024, Arizona had just 256,267 licensed childcare slots for an estimated 460,882 children under age 6 who could need care. As Arizona grows, access to affordable childcare is becoming an increasingly important economic issue. Learn more: bit.ly/4xkCfWR Read the article: bit.ly/4ylBIU8

Are Arizona students prepared to pay for college? New CSI research reveals a troubling gap in financial education. In a small survey of Arizona-area students: 📚 65% had never heard of a 529 college savings plan. 💰 62% had never learned about saving or investing for college in school. Students are thinking about college, but many don't know the tools available to help pay for it. CSI's latest report examines how financial education and access to college savings tools could help more Arizona families prepare for the cost of higher education. Learn more: bit.ly/47QnLTn

What could shifting more school funding toward instruction look like? CSI estimates that if additional instructional funding followed the current spending mix, the statewide average teacher salary could increase by nearly $10,000, from $65,613 to $75,552. If all of the additional funding went to teacher compensation, the increase would be more than $13,000. CSI’s Proposition 320 Ballot Guide breaks down the numbers behind the measure and what they could mean for Arizona schools. Get the facts before you vote: bit.ly/46W6Bn3

Does where schools spend their money matter? CSI’s analysis of Arizona school districts found a positive relationship between the share of spending devoted to instruction and student proficiency, even after accounting for factors including poverty, district size, total spending, staffing and prior performance. CSI’s Proposition 320 Ballot Guide report takes a deeper look at the data behind the measure. Learn more: bit.ly/46W6Bn3

Arizona ranks 49th in the nation for the share of school spending going directly to instruction. According to CSI’s new Proposition 320 Ballot Guide, Arizona directs 52.1% of day-to-day school funding to instruction, compared with a national average of 58.8%. If Arizona matched the national average, CSI finds that would amount to an additional $973 per student for instructional expenses. Get the facts before you vote ⬇️ bit.ly/46W6Bn3

As Arizona grapples with growing infrastructure needs and affordability pressures, CSI Executive Director Katie Ratlief spoke with the Arizona Capitol Times about the state’s highway funding challenge and the broader choices facing policymakers. Rather than immediately turning to new taxes or fees, Katie pointed to the state budget and the need to take a closer look at Arizona’s priorities and how existing dollars are being used. Read the article: bit.ly/4rxxjM9 Check out CSI's latest budget research: bit.ly/4xR4r35

Did you know that 9 million acres, 13% of the state’s landmass, are owned by the State Land Trust? CSI estimates that the ordered sale of remaining trust land over the next decade would generate $18.5 billion in revenue and $55 billion in new economic activity, and support the development of 1 million new housing units over 20 years. For more about Arizona's untapped land potential, check out the full report: bit.ly/4d1tRDM

Arizona lawmakers are taking a closer look at State Trust Land and its role in addressing the state’s housing shortage. Ahead of a new legislative oversight hearing, CSI research was cited showing that more than 200,000 acres of potentially developable State Trust Land sit within 10 miles of existing urban areas, highlighting the potential role these lands could play in Arizona’s housing supply. Get the facts about the State Land Trust in CSI's full report: bit.ly/4d1tRDM Read the Press Release: bit.ly/47jn84v

Arizona’s unemployment rate remains at a post-pandemic high of 4.9% for the third straight month. At the same time, labor force participation has declined for seven consecutive months, falling to 59.9% and sitting 2.2 percentage points below a year ago. CSI breaks down the latest labor market data: bit.ly/4ydGO5S

Arizona lost 4,100 jobs in August, as employment growth continued to slow from earlier this year. Despite the monthly decline, Arizona remains up 21,000 jobs over the last year, with its 0.64% growth rate outpacing the national rate of 0.38%. Get the latest on Arizona’s labor market from CSI: bit.ly/4ydGO5S

Where businesses choose to invest matters. CSI finds the 10 states attracting the most firms had, on average, fewer regulatory restrictions, lower income taxes and lower government spending as a share of their economies than the states losing the most firms. Those states also experienced: 📈 5.8X faster employment growth 📈 30% faster real GDP growth 📈 7.8% faster per-capita personal income growth The data point to a broader connection between a state’s policy environment, investment and economic growth. Read the report ⬇️ bit.ly/3UKOvSb

Arizona’s affordability challenges are fueling a bigger conversation about the policies shaping our economy. In a new op-ed, Vince Gil of Citizens for Free Enterprise highlights CSI research showing that Arizona ranks 45th nationally in affordability and examines what that means for the debate over free enterprise and government intervention. Read the op-ed: bit.ly/4cMxzkp? Read the report: bit.ly/4zg1z1v