Arizona budget passed last night avoids K-12 cuts, sets stage for potential lawsuit

Lawmakers avoided K-12 cuts while ensuring state agencies the expansion of a community college scholarship. Here’s a breakdown of the Arizona budget. Lawmakers avoided K-12 cuts while ensuring state agencies the expansion of a community college scholarship. Here’s a breakdown of the Arizona budget. PHOENIX — Arizona, we have a budget.  The Arizona State House…

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Freddie Mac proposes product to help homeowners tap home equity without losing record low mortgage rates

By: Freddie Mac’s cash-out refinance proposal is more borrower-friendly than existing products. (iStock) Freddie Mac wants to offer second-lien mortgages to help homeowners locked into lower-interest-rate mortgages access their home equity. Freddie Mac’s proposal would allow homeowners to access their home equity while keeping their low interest rate on their current loan. It could potentially…

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Organized retail theft pushes stores to change how we shop

Organized retail theft paired with inflation has pushed some major retailers to make drastic security changes in an effort to keep them from the brink of closure.Some stores have locked up some inventory, creating an inconvenience for customers, while some loss prevention associates have been equipped with body cameras.Arizona Retail Association says organized retail theft…

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Despite housing challenges, Tucson sees economic gains

Analeise Mayor Economists are seeing positive trends emerge in Tucson’s economy over the last year, including a solid labor market, declining inflation, personal income gains, and steady water management supporting continued growth.Despite other positive economic indicators, housing affordability remains a top concern.The insights were shared Wednesday as part of the University of Arizona Eller College’s…

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Arizona budget plan squeaks through House

PHOENIX — A plan to balance the state budget squeaked through the Legislature Saturday over the objections of some Republicans who said it spends too much and Democrats who said it spends too little.The package, which was set for final Senate approval, cuts $729 million from the current budget, reducing it to $17.2 billion. That…

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