By Recker McDowell — Elon Musk is promising to move Tesla’s headquarters out of California to Texas or Nevada over his frustrations with the Golden State’s COVID-19 shutdowns. Musk will not be alone in evaluating and re-evaluating where to locate and land jobs after the pandemic ends. COVID-19 has already cost the economy more than 21 million jobs. Some of … Read More

By Recker McDowell — The U.S. economy lost 20.5 million jobs in April. The unemployment rate is 14.7 percent and could hit 20 percent or higher due to the impacts of COVID-19. Economies and businesses are gradually opening (including in Arizona). But it is going to take time for businesses to rehire workers and ramp back up operations. Consumers will … Read More

City managers are a lot like baseball pitchers.  You’re not going to win every political and policy game. But if you go 21-5 during the course of a year on important decisions you are municipal Cy Young Award winner. And Scottsdale City Manager Jim Thompson, over the past many years, has helped Scottsdale win.  A lot. He’s earned the respect … Read More

By Recker McDowell — Nordstrom is closing its store at Chandler Fashion Center permanently. The Chandler store is among 16 locations Nordstrom is shuttering. Other retailers will also be permanently closing stores with COVID-19 hastening the demise of some already struggling brands and locations. Nordstrom’s closure at Fashion Center is a blow to Chandler. The East Valley suburb has worked … Read More

By Suzanne Klapp — The Scottsdale City Council is running out of time to address the severe economic impact we are witnessing now in our city revenues.  Each day we do not recognize and act on the dramatic drop in sales tax revenues, the budget hole for the city’s next fiscal year just gets deeper. I am increasingly uncomfortable and … Read More

Scottsdale City Councilman Guy Phillips has been cleared by the city’s independent ethics panel of any wrongdoing stemming from allegations he should have reported income received by a GoFundMe account, according to the Scottsdale Independent.  The inquiry looked at Phillips’ links to the group opposed to the Southbridge Two development in Old Town Scottsdale. You can read the Scottsdale Independent … Read More

By Recker McDowell — The city of Peoria is hosting a virtual Second Saturday event on May 9th to help promote small businesses as well as local restaurants, musicians, and artists. Residents and business owners can attend the event at www.facebook.com/Peorias2ndSaturdays. Local business and entrepreneurs are being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the type of event all … Read More

Once upon a time it was the site of a beloved mall.  Then voters directed the City Council to create a next generation mixed-use development anchored by a sports arena.  When that was fumbled a less imaginative Walmart Supercenter-centric retail plan was put forth. But progress was not made at the southeast corner of Scottsdale and McDowell Roads until a … Read More

Friends don’t let friends drive drunk. And friends shouldn’t let friends govern by groupthink. Over the years Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane have been very close. Speeches at States of City.  Appearances at each other’s campaign fundraisers.  Ideological allies. So, it must have been difficult for Lane to criticize the Governor’s recent extension of his stay … Read More