Arizona

Blacklisting companies for their gun policies will backfire on Arizona

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2024

Press Room

Blacklisting companies for their gun policies will backfire on Arizona

Opinion: Arizona will pay more – in cash and reputation – if it begins cutting off businesses to make a political point about firearms.

Danny Seiden
| opinion contributor

The Arizona Legislature is considering a bill that could make our regulatory environment more cumbersome, complicated and expensive, tying up private businesses in red tape and sticking taxpayers with the bill.

If it passes, Arizona’s reputation as a business-friendly state will be at risk.

The proponents of Senate Concurrent Resolution 1007 argue that private companies are discriminating against potential customers based on gun politics and thus shouldn’t be allowed to do business with the state and local governments.

They also believe that the best way to prevent such discrimination is to prohibit private entities from entering into certain contractual agreements, unless the entity’s contract includes written assurances that there will be no discrimination against any firearm entity or firearm trade association.

Blacklist policies have hurt other states

Private businesses of all sizes make tough decisions every day to manage risk, meet client needs and deliver returns for shareholders. All that’s hard enough to do without inserting a political agenda into the mix.

However, the proposed remedy is far worse than the perceived problem.

This bill is a bad deal for Arizona, replacing a market defined by supply and demand with one where politicians decide who can do business with whom.

Other states have adopted similar blacklist policies and paid a stiff price.

In Texas, taxpayers have been forced to shoulder hundreds of millions of dollars in additional municipal borrowing costs after lawmakers there pushed out a handful of bond underwriters.

Local officials in Stillwater, Okla., had to put a series of infrastructure projects on hold after borrowing costs spiked because the lender found itself on that state’s blacklist.

Fewer choices mean higher costs

It’s a predictable consequence.

After all, fewer businesses eligible to contract with state and local governments leads to fewer choices from which the government can select for projects, which leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

State and local governments can’t print money. When costs go up in one area, it means there are fewer resources to invest in things like public safety, sanitation and other core government responsibilities.

GOP bill lets you sue: Over imagined Marxist policies

It’s no wonder the Arizona Association of Counties has expressed concern that bringing a blacklist law to our state would cause small, rural communities to suffer due to reduced banking services and higher costs, which will ultimately affect local taxpayers.

Arizona’s pro-business reputation has been cultivated in part by assuring job creators that our policymaking environment is predictable and stable, and that our laws and regulations are intended to encourage job growth, not stifle it.

Don’t put Arizona’s reputation at risk

But SCR 1007 signals that Arizona’s business environment can shift at any moment.

What was once an acceptable business practice could suddenly fall out of favor with whoever’s in power, jeopardizing a company’s ability to operate here.

Arizona has worked hard to cultivate a business environment where businesses can succeed or fail in a free market.

The policies proposed in SCR 1007 would make government the arbiter of who wins and who loses. Lawmakers should reject it.

Danny Seiden is president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. On X, formerly Twitter: @dbseiden.

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Arizona

President Trump to visit Phoenix Friday for first Arizona trip of 2026

Published

7 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Press Room

President Trump to visit Phoenix Friday for first Arizona trip of 2026

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — President Donald Trump will make a visit to the Valley for the first time in 2026 on Friday.

The President will speak at the “Build the Red Wall” event, hosted by Turning Point USA, at Dream City Church in North Phoenix. “Build the Red Wall” is an effort to support Republican candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm election.

“I think the President’s coming to town to look for a rally among his adoring fans,” said Pollster at Highground Inc. Paul Bentz.

Arizona’s Family spoke to voters in downtown Phoenix ahead of the President’s visit. Affordability and the economy were the top issue that many people shared.

While some say they supported the Trump administration’s efforts on immigration, with border crossings at a decades-long low, others said the war in Iran, gas prices, and overall affordability were big concerns.

“The ultimate issue that he has is that whether it’s the war in Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz, gas prices as they are right now, the general affordability issues, he has not come up with a lot of solutions to this point,” said Bentz.

Other speakers listed for the event include Republican candidate for governor Andy Biggs, Erika Kirk, and several Arizona congressional republicans.

The doors will open at 9 a.m., pre-programming is scheduled to begin at noon. President Trump is scheduled to take the stage at 2 p.m.

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Arizona

Arizona State assistant football coach dies

Published

19 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

Arizona State assistant football coach dies

Arizona State football assistant strength coach Steven Miller has died, according to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Miller, 29, passed away Wednesday, April 15.

Chris Karpman first reported the news via X.

Miller, who suffered from epilepsy, had endured medical issues recently, one incident occurring after the team had wrapped up practice on April 7. Most of the players had left the practice facility, but about 30 or so remained behind, some waiting for transportation back and others doing interviews with the media.

Miller was not at the next two practices, but was back at practice on April 14.

He was one of the coaches who had a special bond with many of the team’s players.

Jeff Sims, who played quarterback from 2024 to 2025, posted a photo on his social media of Miller after the Big 12 conference championship win over Iowa State with the caption: “Solid as they come rest up my dawg.”

Tributes from players started to flow in.

Miller, a local product out of Gilbert High School, played right tackle for ASU from 2015-18.

(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)

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Arizona

Arizona Lottery Powerball, The Pick results for April 15, 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

Arizona Lottery Powerball, The Pick results for April 15, 2026

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Wednesday, April 15, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers

13-21-27-43-45, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 5

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning The Pick numbers

15-18-22-27-30-43

Check The Pick payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers

2-3-7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers

15-26-27-32-40

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Triple Twist numbers

05-08-17-35-36-40

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

What time is the Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings are at 7:59 p.m. Arizona time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today?

In Arizona, Powerball tickets cost $2 per game, according to the Arizona Lottery.

How to play the Powerball

To play, select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls, then select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.

You can choose your lucky numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick your numbers.

To win, match one of the 9 Ways to Win:

5 white balls + 1 red Powerball = Grand prize.
5 white balls = $1 million.
4 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $50,000.
4 white balls = $100.
3 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $100.
3 white balls = $7.
2 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $7.
1 white ball + 1 red Powerball = $4.
1 red Powerball = $4.

There’s a chance to have your winnings increased two, three, four, five and 10 times through the Power Play for an additional $1 per play. Players can multiply non-jackpot wins up to 10 times when the jackpot is $150 million or less.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:

Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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