COVID-19 News Round-up for April 24
Policy & Stimulus News PPP May Get Another $310B The U.S. Senate this week approved another $310B infusion into the Paycheck Protection Program. Even with the additional funding, some experts and advocates warn the amount may not be sufficient to meet need or demand. (Source: Phoenix Business Journal) Ariz. Following Feds Lead on Reopening The Governor’s Office told Arizona […]
Ariz. Economy May Expect Solid Recovery
By George W. Hammond for AZ Big Media There is still a huge amount of uncertainty about the future of the outbreak and the economic impacts on the Arizona economy associated with it. Regarding the outbreak, the question at this point is when government and self-imposed social distancing will ease. The April 2020 U.S. forecast from IHS Markit, […]
COVID-19 News Round-up for April 21
Policy & Stimulus News Union Pushes for Enhanced Worker Protection The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades is demanding that Congress act now to protect workers and their families by subsidizing health plans and providing stronger oversight of sanitation and safety protocols for ongoing construction sites. (Source: IUPAT) GPEC Calling for Another $250B in Stimulus The Greater Phoenix […]
COVID-19 News Round-up for April 17
Policy & Stimulus News Governor Seeks Businesses Recovery Input Governor Doug Ducey asked leaders from Arizona’s lodging and business communities to provide their feedback on a plan for economic recovery. The request seeks recommendations to help accelerate a business and economic recovery including incorporating public health guidance into everyday business practices, policy suggestions, regulatory reforms and other executive actions. […]
COVID-19 News Round-up for April 14
Policy & Stimulus News Legislators’ Wish Lists for 4th Stimulus Bill As partisan bickering continues to plague discussions over a fourth round of stimulus and relief measures to offset fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, Arizona legislators are making their wishes known in the halls of power and pushing their priorities. (Source: AZCentral) 1031 Exchange Deadlines Extended Requests from Commercial Real […]
Impacts on Budget, Lives Could be Dire
By Howard Fischer for Capitol Media Services via Arizona Daily Star The COVID-19 outbreak is going to blow a billion-dollar hole in state finances. And about 775 Arizonans will die by the end of May from the virus. Those predictions from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee as staffers said the decline in state revenues plus additional costs to the […]
Virus Crisis Kills Flagstaff Bond Considerations
By Adrian Skabelund for Arizona Daily Sun During their last work session, the majority on the Flagstaff City Council decided that given the current crisis and uncertainties that exist, it would not be prudent to move forward with any new municipal bonds. Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans added that she believed, “At this particular time, we need to really focus […]
Arizona Continues Push for More Hospital Beds
By Rebekah Morris for AZBEX The State of Arizona is continuing on with a push for expanded medical facilities, even as revised projections for COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are trending down. The state is preparing for a worst-case scenario to ensure that any surge in demand for medical facilities can be met. In a press conference on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, Dr. Cara […]
Construction Unemployment Rate Down Y-o-Y
Source: Associated Builders and Contractors Estimated February not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates fell nationally and in 37 states, rose in 12 states and were unchanged in one state (Texas) on a year-over-year basis, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released by Associated Builders and Contractors. As of February 2020, the construction industry employed 208,000 […]
COVID-19 News Round-up for April 7
Policy & Stimulus News Major Disaster Declaration Request Approved Governor Doug Ducey announced that President Donald Trump, in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, approved Arizona’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the state. The declaration makes available additional federal assets and resources to aid Arizona’s COVID-19 response efforts. (Source: Office of the Governor) Governor’s Office Releases Essential Service Guidance Governor Doug Ducey’s office has released additional guidance […]