The 2024 elections will be incredibly significant for numerous reasons, with Arizona again set to be perhaps the most important battleground of the battleground states for the presidential election, and with what might be the most interesting US Senate race in modern American history in our state as well. But for Governor Hobbs, it will be just as significant for … Read More
A New Entrant in the Race for the Scottsdale City Council
While we are still in 2023 and Scottsdale’s municipal elections will be held in 2024, now is the time for candidates to begin to announce their candidacies and build up their campaign apparatus. We already have had a few interesting announcements from potentially formidable candidates, and recently we came across the announcement of another. Justin Laos recently announced that he … Read More
Mayor Dave Ortega and the Inevitability of his Re-Election
By Alexander Lomax It is nearly a year away from election season, and making predictions this far out is a complete fool’s errand nearly all of the time. And yet, here I am playing the fool with a strong degree of confidence: Mayor Dave Ortega is all but certain to win re-election. How can I say this so confidently? Of … Read More
Finally, a Chapter is Closed and the Rio Verde Foothills Water Crisis is Finally Over…Probably
It has been one of the biggest crises in recent Arizona history, one that has made national headlines as a potential canary in a coalmine to larger impending water issues in the state. And after too many back-and-forths, politically charged statements and in-fighting, it looks like this chapter is closed: the Rio Verde Foothills water crisis is officially over. First … Read More
Guest Editorial: Scottsdale’s Allure: Negotiating Exceptional Development
By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead Scottsdale’s world class status can be attributed to our multi-generational commitment to preservation and design excellence in our built environment. The Waterfront, pictured above, showcases both priorities. In 2003, Mayor Mary Manross and the Council approved the project. By trading height for public open space, the approval transformed vacant, blighted land into one of Scottsdale’s most … Read More
Scottsdale Draft Sustainability Plan Being Examined: What Should We Look Out For?
Last year, Scottsdale voters voted in favor of adopting the Scottsdale General Plan 2035 last year, a significant win for Mayor David Ortega (considering that a decade previous, it did not pass), although it came far from a mandate with only a 5 point win. But a win is a win, and soon thereafter the work began to start to … Read More
Statement from Supervisor Thomas Galvin on Rio Verde Foothills Standpipe Decision
“The Arizona Corporation Commission approved EPCOR’s application to construct a standpipe for water service to the Rio Verde Foothills community today. This is the long-term solution that I worked towards since becoming a member of the Board of Supervisors and serving District 2. I am happy that the good folks in Rio Verde Foothills will have a long-term, reliable water … Read More
Councilmembers at Odds Over New Apartment Development
By Jessica Perez It comes as no shock that Arizona’s house prices and rents have escalated significantly over the past few years, making the need for affordable housing more apparent than ever. Devco Residential Group is striving to address this need by introducing a multifamily residential complex in West Phoenix with 112 apartments falling under the low-income housing tax credit … Read More
The National Republican Senatorial Committee Goes to Bat for Kari Lake: Will It Work?
In what will almost undoubtedly be one of the most interesting political races in the entire country, Kari Lake will be vying for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s seat in the US Senate along with Rep. Ruben Gallego. While it’s a long way out, one thing is for absolute certain: that this race will be very, VERY expensive and will draw in … Read More
AG Mayes and Governor Hobbs Have a New Target: AZ Schools Superintendent Tom Horne
Over the last few months, Governor Katie Hobbs and AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes have started to realize and actualize the power that they can wield together (you can read up on our coverage on Hobbs here and Mayes here). Most of this exploration has revolved around battles related to legislation, both real and potential, but rarely have they had … Read More