Stalling outward growth

The housing woes in Arizona have stalled the outward growth of Phoenix metro, as the fringe areas are getting hit the heaviest:

"9 housing projects on hold in Queen Creek"
Amanda Keim, Tribune

At least nine housing developments in Queen Creek have stalled since the beginning of 2008, and those are only the difficulties the town knows about as a result of the past year's recession.

"As you might expect, there's a lot of projects that are on hold right now," said Tom Condit, Queen Creek's community development director. "We're sort of waiting this out like a lot of municipalities. Developers don't have to tell the town they're halting construction, Condit said, but the town does get indications when permits lapse or when properties change ownership.

The first sign of the building slowdown in Queen Creek was when TOUSA, the parent company of Engle Homes, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January. Shortly afterward, signs of work stopped on the 113 homes the builder had intended to construct in phase three of the Sossaman Estates subdivision.

Read Full Article East Valley Tribune

Posted by Criminal Lawyer Phoenix Arizona

Bailout to Phoenix

Phoenix is asking for some of that federal bailout money. AZ Central has the story:

"Gordon, big city mayors seek share of bailout"
by Casey Newton, The Arizona Republic

With revenues continuing to decline, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon joined other big-city mayors Friday in asking the federal government for a piece of the $700 billion financial bailout.

Joined by the mayors of Philadelphia and Atlanta, Gordon urged Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to set aside more than $50 billion to cover unfunded pension costs, pay for infrastructure projects and enable cities to get short-term loans.

Phoenix officials said the government should invest in capital projects as a direct means of stimulating the economy.

Read Full Article AZ Central

Posted by Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer

Shifting Political Outlook??

Could Arizona's Congressional balance go Democratic? AZ Central has an interesting article:

"Dems hope to tip scales, upset Shadegg"
by Michael Clancy - Oct. 29, 2008, The Arizona Republic

Seeing a chance for an unexpected victory for attorney Bob Lord in Congressional District 3, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has spent close to $2 million on TV ads criticizing the incumbent, Republican John Shadegg. It is among the races in which the party has spent the most money.

The DCCC spending has kept the Lord campaign within shouting distance of the seven-term congressman's lead in the polls, and now that Democrat Barack Obama has closed Republican John McCain's lead in statewide polling, Democrats are even more hopeful.

But Lord, a political newcomer, continues to trail in polls.

Read Full Article AZ Central

Posted by Phoenix Product Liability Attorney

ASU Students

Watch out if you're an ASU student. To save money, the university if planning to cut numerous employees, and maintain student body numbers. Think of being in a class of 1,000 students. AZ Central has the latest:

"ASU making major changes in order to save cash"
by Anne Ryman and Lesley Wright - Oct. 28, 2008, The Arizona Republic

Arizona State University is preparing to lay off 200 or more faculty associates and dramatically boost some class sizes beginning this spring as it braces for more state budget cuts.

Some lecture-style classes could jump from about 300 to 1,000 students.

The cuts come as ASU officials anticipate $25 million or more in state budget cuts. That's on top of the $30 million in cuts the university already has made. State revenues are down again this year because of a sluggish economy.

Read Full Article AZ Central

Posted by Phoenix Bicycle Accident Lawyer

McCain's Run

It has been a tough week for McCain in the polls, as Obama seems points ahead. As communication is changing, polling probably will have to as well. Some think McCain's lead in Arizona is even diminishing. East Valley Tribune has the article:

"Pollster: McCain's hold on Arizona shrinking"
Mary K. Reinhart, Tribune

Bob Turner's daughters disagree with him, but the retired Air Force master sergeant and lifelong Republican stepped up Tuesday to proclaim his support for Democrat Barack Obama.

Jill Corbet Bergen said her father, former GOP state Senate President Leo Corbet, understood her decision to come out publicly for Obama, though Corbet remains in Arizona Sen. John McCain's camp.

While picking up a handful of Republicans in McCain's home state may not seem like much, longtime pollster Bruce Merrill expects to see real changes when his surveyors start making calls later this week.

Read Full Article East Valley Tribune

Posted by Phoenix Injury and Accident Lawyers

Washington Street Renaissance??

The City of Phoenix hopes the light rail can do a major revitalization for Washington Street. Could this really happen? AZ Central has a detailed story:

"Light rail may revive Washington Street corridor"
by Chad Graham - Oct. 20, 2008, The Arizona Republic

When it comes to Washington Street, think of Metro light rail as a ribbon that could tie together economic opportunities.

The roughly 8-mile stretch from downtown Phoenix to Tempe was neglected for decades, but it could become a dynamic corridor that better links Arizona State University's campuses, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and GateWay Community College, as well as biotech and green-energy companies.

It would put tourists in easier reach of the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Read Full Article AZ Central

Posted by Negligence Attorneys Phoenix Arizona

Flagstaff Helicopter Rescue

The AZ DPS has cut late night rescue flights based out of Flagstaff to save money. There will still be some service coming from Phoenix. I guess just be careful hiking or camping up north. AZ Daily Sun has the story:

"DPS copter service cut"
By LARRY HENDRICKS, Assistant City Editor, Friday, October 17, 2008

In a cost-saving move, officials with the Arizona Department of Public Safety have decided to ground helicopter rescue missions out of Flagstaff between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The change will reduce flight operations by about 350 hours a year and save $52,000. And even though helicopters will continue to respond from Phoenix to some emergencies in northern Arizona during the evening hours, local law enforcement officials are worried the delay will affect search and rescue efforts.

In a letter addressed to police chiefs and sheriffs in and around Flagstaff, Kingman and Tucson, DPS Director Roger Vanderpool stated that beginning Saturday, the helicopters stationed in those areas will be grounded between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Read Full Article Arizona Daily Sun

Posted by Personal Injury Lawyer Phoenix Arizona