From the Editor

After more than 30 years in print, Arizona's Economy is now an exclusively online publication. Since we're no longer constrained by the space/cost limitations of print copy, we're taking the opportunity to expand our award-winning analysis and data offerings. We hope to continue providing Arizona's citizens, business leaders, and policy makers with another 30 years of unbiased and accurate reporting to enlighten economic decision-making in our state.

We continue to offer the outlook, articles, analysis, and forecast data for Arizona and the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale and the Tucson MSAs each quarter, as well as, detailed county level economic indicator data.

What's new with the AZE Online?

• We are proud to launch the Arizona's Economy Blog - Arizona's budget in crisis, economic recovery, the housing market, economic development, education spending, sustainability, health care - economics is controversial! We know our dedicated and knowledgeable readers have much to contribute. Join the discussion!
• Click on each data series to view graphs, definitions, and source information.
• Current indicators section provides updates on major indicators between quarterly issues.

Arizona faces an anticipated budget gap of $3 billion-plus this year and a structural deficit predicted to generate deficits of similar size in coming years. With this issue of Arizona's Economy, we begin a series of articles which describe Arizona's fiscal structure and estimate the impacts of proposed policy choices. This issue's "Crisis in State Government," by Marshall Vest, gives readers an overview of the scope and complexity of Arizona's fiscal crisis. Readers are also encouraged to visit our Arizona's Fiscal Issues page where we have assembled additional research and data on this important topic.

In our Fall 2009 issue, Lora Mwaniki-Lyman and Dr. Vera Pavlakovich-Kochi examined the affects of the U.S. recession on remittances to Mexico. Ms. Mwaniki-Lyman and Dr. Alberta Charney continue the discussion by reviewing the state of economic integration between Arizona and Sonora and describe the evolving social and economic ties which define this fascinating international region.

As always, please let us know what you think. We look forward to hearing from you!

Maile L. Nadelhoffer, Editor