News from November 2015
Arizona Corporation Commission endorses Union Pacific rail crossing safety improvements
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 30, 2015
The Arizona Corporation Commission recently gave the go-ahead to safety upgrades at two Union Pacific Railroad crossings in Nogales, Arizona.
SRP wraps up rescue drill at Glendale generating station
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 30, 2015
Salt River Project (SRP) recently hosted its annual Technical Rescue Drill in Glendale to conduct high-altitude mock scenarios designed to sharpen firefighters’ skills.
Energy efficiency program aims to save Arizona schools money
By Keri Carbaugh | Nov 27, 2015
The Arizona Corporation Commission and Arizona Public Services (APS) agreed during a recent commission meeting to create the Schools Energy Efficiency Pilot Program, a two-year program beginning in 2016 to help schools with energy costs.
Free seminar in Tempe to focus on exporting
By Keri Carbaugh | Nov 27, 2015
SRP, one of the largest public power utilities in the United States, is offering business owners a free seminar on how to export goods, especially to Mexico and Canada, on Wednesday morning in Tempe.
Arizona sees promising business growth; imports and exports growing as well
By Kerry Goff | Nov 27, 2015
Like a lot of state economies, the 2008 recession hit Arizona pretty hard. Since then, Arizona has made a strong comeback, and there is considerable business growth that creates a promising environment for more businesses in various industries to turn their heads toward the state.
McCain challenges federal targeting of University of Phoenix
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 24, 2015
U.S. Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) recently wrote Education Secretary Arne Duncan regarding what they claim is unfair targeting of the University of Phoenix and other for-profit educational institutions.
Gosar joins Flake with effort to block EPA’s ozone ruling
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 24, 2015
U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) recently joined Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) in trying to block the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new ozone regulation by introducing a House version of Flake’s Senate-introduced measure to stop the ruling.
Senate backs McCain, Flake on airport noise issues
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 24, 2015
An amendment filed by U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and John McCain (R-AZ) to address airport noise pollution and flight path concerns of Arizona residents was approved by the U.S. Senate last week.
Grijalva wants BP barred from tax windfall in Deepwater Horizon settlement
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 23, 2015
U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) said last week he drafted a letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch requesting she prohibit British Petroleum (BP) from claiming part of its Deepwater Horizon settlement as a business expense.
Flake fights ozone law to ‘bring EPA down to Earth’
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 23, 2015
U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) introduced a resolution last week
to permanently block the Environmental Protection Agency’s final 2015 ozone ruling, a move that could potentially save $19 billion to $25 billion annually.
Gosar applauds U.S. House for passing amendment to protect veteran businesses
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 23, 2015
U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) said last week he was pleased the House passed his amendment requiring the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to consider effects on veteran-owned enterprises prior to enacting rulings.
McCain praises Senate resolutions to freeze EPA laws
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 23, 2015
U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said last week he applauded the Senate’s passage of two bipartisan resolutions to stop the administration’s “Clean Power Plan” laws, which would have adversely impacted Arizona businesses and consumers.
U.S. House passes Sinema’s investment protection bill
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 23, 2015
Legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Robert Hurt (R-VA) to abolish a minor reporting requirement for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unanimously passed the House of Representatives last week.
HouseMaster honors Tucson couple for outstanding franchise performance
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 19, 2015
HouseMaster franchise owners Bill and Michelle Craft of Tucson were named to the HouseMaster President's Club for 2015 on Monday at the home inspection company’s annual conference in San Antonio, Texas.
Phoenix Chamber advocates career, technical education for robust economy
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 19, 2015
The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce said career and technical education (CTE) has a direct connection to labor-market needs and recently praised Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s administration for settling an inflation-funding lawsuit in favor of the state's schoolchildren.
Arizona Chamber warns $15 minimum wage could harm businesses, individuals
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 18, 2015
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry officials recently said increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour could have "dangerous unintended consequences" on businesses and individuals.
Zounds Hearing founder honored as CEO of the Year
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 18, 2015
Zounds Hearing, Inc. Founder Sam Thomasson was named CEO of the Year by the Phoenix Business Journal at the recent Arizona Corporate Excellence ceremony in Scottsdale.
Salt River Project seminar to focus on export business
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 18, 2015
Arizonan entrepreneurs can participate in a free seminar being offered Dec. 2 by Salt River Project on how to expand and diversify connections to global trade.
Arizona offers an array of winter destination resorts
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 18, 2015
Mild temperatures during Arizona winters allow resorts to attract advance vacation planners, and the Arizona Office of Tourism recommends that travelers make getaway plans early for the best the state has to offer.
Tucson’s Casino Del Sol chooses Tempe’s Zion & Zion for marketing
By Carol Ostrow | Nov 18, 2015
Advertising agency Zion & Zion of Tempe, Arizona, said last week it has become the agency of record for Tucson’s Casino Del Sol Resort.