Arizona’s economic outlook has received mixed reviews by leading economists. The consensus is that Arizona will likely experience decelerated growth throughout the first half of the year, with in all likelihood the economy will show signs of improvement towards the end of the year.A positive close to 2008, will depend on the strength of Arizona’s housing market leading into the final quarter of the year. An important factor for judging the overall strength of the economy, in 2008, will rely heavily on the housing industry not experiencing any drastic changes or unforeseeable obstacles.Marshall Vest, Economic and Business Research director for the University of Arizona stated, “It will be a number of months before economists can say for sure that Arizona’s economy is contracting, but recent trends in the data that we do have are ominous.”There are many indicators which have Vest and many other economists concerned for Arizona’s start to 2008, which includes: employment and the introduction of the employer-sanctions law; automotive sales and retail sales in general; new home sales and inventories, resale home prices, and building permits; and employment growth in health, manufacturing, and mining sectors.There is good news! Mainly the economic diversity and export-oriented industries, in Arizona, which are expected to experience continued growth. Arizona, in regards to taxation, is a very appealing state for entrepreneurs; so we can expect a continued influx of new businesses, including residents, and tourists.What does this mean for Arizona’s real estate market?Georganna Meyer, Chief economist for the Arizona Department of Revenue said, “I expect the real estate market and contracting to continue to have reduced activity in 2008, but recovery should begin in 2009. As a result, I expect state tax revenues will grow only slightly in 2008, if at all. Whether we’re in a recession or
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Arizona is a wonderful place to live in. It has lust desert landscapes, crystal-cleat waters and breathtaking mountain peaks. From small communities to one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, Arizona offers unique experiences packed with adventure and stunning sights. Arizona’s climate is quite varied. Central Arizona has mild weather with cool breeze, while northern Arizona might be swooshing down the state’s ski slopes enjoying a cool winter day. During summer, southern Arizona can be sunbathing, while people in north-central Arizona might slip on sweaters and enjoy the crisp night air. There are some interesting facts about Arizona. The amount of copper on the roof of the Arizona capitol building is equivalent to 4,800,000 pennies. Arizona has the largest percentage of land designated as Native American tribal land. Phoenix south mountain preserve is the largest municipal park in the country. The world’s largest antique, London Bridge, is located in Lake Havasu City. Phoenix south mountain preserve is the largest municipal park in the country. Since1888, Prescott, Arizona has been home to the world’s oldest Rodeo.If you own a house in Arizona, youngsters can enjoy a lot. There are lots of places for them to enjoy. Like, karchner caverns in south of Tucson. It is a living, breathing cave. Cave tours change between the throne room and the big room. Other places to visit are Sonora desert museum in Tucson, Grand Canyon, off roading in the Arizona desert, tombstone, Pima air museum, ghost town, phoenix zoo, Bisbee’s queen copper mine and Montezuma’s castle national monument. If you buy a house here you can enjoy 365 days. Major cities and towns of Arizona are as follows. Phoenix is the largest city in Arizona. Tucson is Arizona’s second largest city. The city is home to the
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Although the United States may not have quite reached the golfing prestige of the Highlands of Scotland, Arizona golf schools and courses are certainly among the strongest candidates we have for the honor. As one of the most naturally beautiful landscapes in the country, avid golfers and golf course developers alike have been flocking to Arizona for decades. Thanks to the state’s somewhat Mecca-like status among the sport’s biggest fans, great golf schools have naturally followed. That’s why, when prospective students are looking to find a location and a program that suits their needs, Arizona golf schools should rank high on the list of possibilities.The Arizona WeatherAlthough Arizona can get downright uncomfortable in the summer months, there is a benefit to being located in the desert lands of the United States. The state gets over 300 golf-ready and sunny days each year – a number that certainly wins out over the weather in Scotland, where wind and rain are the decided norm.For students, this represents an ideal learning environment. With so much of a golf education depending on the ability to get outside and experience the course, impediments due to adverse weather can put a halt to a great education. Arizona golf schools, unlike those located in the northern and southeastern regions of the United States, offer year-round accessibility to clear, dry golf courses.The Arizona Golf CultureWhile weather certainly weighs in as a good reason why Arizona golf schools are among the top choices for prospective students, it’s important not to overlook the golfing culture of the state. There are literally hundreds of courses within the state’s borders, each offering challenges for varying skill levels. From desert courses to lush, oasis-like greens, there is much to choose from, despite the hot climate.This type of variety gives
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Arizona Schools are slightly above average and that is pretty good news. When Superintendent Tom Horne released the state’s 2006 report card, it was with the news that Arizona Schools are usually placed either average, or slightly above, on indicators used to compare schools nationwide. The college entrance exams, the SATs and ACTs, and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) all place Arizona Schools in the upper half of the nation’s public schools.What’s even more interesting is that Arizona Schools are reaching this above average status while spending less money per pupil than every state except for Utah. Superintendent Tom Horne has stated that increasing state spending to the national per pupil average would propel Arizona Schools into the top ten. The state has yet to approve that funding.According to numbers from Education Week magazine, Arizona Schools spend $6,010 per pupil annually. Compare this to the top spender New Jersey with $11,269, mid-ranker Virginia at $ 7,751, and bottom-of-the-barrel Utah at $5,132. The fact that Arizona Schools still manage to achieve above average rankings indicates that Horne could be correct in his assumption. Studies have shown a positive correlation between a state’s per student spending and its achievement. Arizona Schools appear to be doing something right.That’s not to say that all is rosy with Arizona Schools. Student results on the statewide AIMS test consistently report passing rates of 70% or less. While this places Arizona schools squarely in the “expected performance zone” of the NAEP index, the numbers fall apart when looked at by race and ethnicity. Passing rates drop to about 60% for African-American students, 50% for Native American students, and 40% for children of migrant workers. When assessed using the national Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) marker, 1,249 of Arizona Schools passed, while 608
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