Common Sense Institute Arizona

📚 Arizona’s district schools are sitting on 78 million square feet of excess space—enough for 630,000 more students. 🏷️ That unused real estate is worth $12.2 billion. 💸 And it’s costing taxpayers $1B every year just to maintain. Read CSI's full report to learn more: bit.ly/4m7Vhdw

Timely new study from @matthewladner on transportation policy options for K-12. A recent @CSInstituteAZ study found that Arizona school districts saw a 45% DECLINE in school bus riders from 2019-2024, but that school districts INCREASED the total number of buses they owned over the same time period: commonsenseinstituteus.org/arizona/resear…

Honored to share the stage with these Arizonans doing amazing things!

Celebrating the leaders shaping Arizona’s future! ⭐️ Congratulations to our 2026 Free Enterprise Summit Awardees - individuals whose dedication to expanding opportunity and advancing free enterprise is making a real difference across the state. We’re proud to honor their impact on April 9th at the Free Enterprise Summit. Join us as we recognize their work and the ideas driving Arizona forward: bit.ly/3MqhTZY Awardees include: 👇 @MayorPeoriaAZ and Jane Beck Scott Drucker and the @AZ_REALTORS Alix Skelpsa Ridgway Senator @TJShope Lorenzo Romero

We’re proud to honor Lorenzo Romero, President of BASIS Educational Ventures and CSI Education & Economic Development Fellow, with the 2026 Free Enterprise Trailblazer Award at this year’s Free Enterprise Summit. 🎉 From serving as Arizona’s State Budget Director to leading BASIS Educational Ventures, Romero has spent his career connecting smart policy, strong education systems, and economic growth. His leadership has helped strengthen Arizona’s workforce pipeline and expand opportunity for students and families across the state. Join us at the Summit as we recognize his impact on Arizona’s future: bit.ly/3MqhTZY

Since 2011, Arizona has improved its ranking in the Free Enterprise Competitiveness Index from 30th to 27th. Showing evidence of long-term gains in Arizona’s policy and economic environment. Learn more in CSI's Free Enterprise Report: bit.ly/4bmXFc6

@CSInstituteAZ will honor Sen. @TJShope with its 2026 Visionary for the Future Award, recognizing his bipartisan work on agriculture, water, education, and economic policy. Shope, a longtime legislator and small business owner, will be celebrated at CSI’s annual Free Enterprise Summit. azfreenews.com/2026/03/shope-…

Arizona’s housing outlook is improving despite the state’s current ranking near the bottom nationally. At its core, the affordability challenge continues to be driven by an insufficient supply of housing, particularly in the middle and lower price ranges. Lower mortgage rates help a bit, but the real fix is more supply Learn more in CSI's Free Enterprise Report: bit.ly/4bmXFc6

CSI’s Free Enterprise Summit is less than a month away! You’re invited to Arizona’s premier event exploring the research, data, and policies shaping our state’s economy. Hear from top business leaders and policy experts as they share firsthand insights on the challenges and opportunities driving growth and prosperity in our communities. 📅 Date: April 9th, 2026 📍 Location: The Biltmore Arizona Secure your spot and join the conversation on Arizona’s economic future! Register here: bit.ly/3MqhTZY

According to the Common Sense Institute’s 2026 Free Enterprise Report, Arizona ranks #1 in economic momentum in the nation for the fifth year in a row. Strong growth, expanding opportunity, and continued investment are helping keep Arizona among the fastest-moving economies in the country. Read the report to learn more: bit.ly/4bmXFc6

Since 2019, prices in the Phoenix metro area are 34.2% higher, increasing the estimated monthly cost of living for the average household by about $1,563. Read CSI’s full analysis: bit.ly/3NyTl1B

According to new CSI analysis using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI data, Phoenix recorded the sixth-slowest inflation rate among the 23 metro areas tracked. This marks a shift from recent years, when Phoenix ranked among the metros with the highest inflation in the country. Read the full analysis from CSI: bit.ly/3NyTl1B

@CSInstituteAZ will honor Alix Skelpsa Ridgway, Arizona’s tourism director, with its 2026 Visionary for the Future Award for leadership strengthening one of the state’s largest economic sectors. The recognition comes as tourism shows mixed indicators but rising tax revenues. azfreenews.com/2026/03/arizon…

We are proud to announce that @MayorPeoriaAZ and his wife, Jane Beck, will receive CSI’s highest honor, the 2026 Free Enterprise Legacy Award! They will also serve as keynote speakers at this year’s Free Enterprise Summit. As co-founders of @TYRTactical, the Becks built a leading Arizona manufacturer producing 100% American-made ballistic and tactical systems for law enforcement and military personnel worldwide. Their leadership has strengthened Arizona’s advanced manufacturing sector, supported high-skilled jobs, and reinforced the state’s role in critical defense supply chains. The Free Enterprise Legacy Award recognizes leaders whose legacy ensures free enterprise flourishes in Arizona, and the Becks exemplify exactly that. Join us as we celebrate that legacy on April 9. Register now: bit.ly/3MqhTZY

A new @CSInstituteAZ report projects the 2026 Cactus League could generate $210M–$953M in GDP, driven by 1.8M fans—65% from out of state. Visitor spending on hotels, food, transport, and tickets may push the total economic impact past $1B for the first time. azfreenews.com/2026/02/cactus…

Did you know waiting for permits adds 23 days on average to residential project timelines? CSI's Director of Policy & Research, @GlennFarley14, writes about the findings in his latest op-ed with the @AzCapitolTimes: bit.ly/4cwGAik Learn more by reading the report: bit.ly/4rSjvLD

Full Episode: Up in Smoke: The Taxpayer Cost of Medicaid Smoking in Arizona. A great conversation with @KatieRatliefAZ from @CSInstituteAZ on how to save taxpayer money: stop smoking!

What does permitting reform actually mean for homeowners? Glenn Farley lays it out in this must read article:
azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/0… @CSInstituteAZ

🌞 Spring Training is big business in the Valley of the Sun — and Scottsdale is leading off strong. A new report from the @CSInstituteAZ shows just how powerful Spring Training is for #Arizona’s economy — with up to $953 million in GDP projected this season, driven largely by out‑of‑state visitors coming to enjoy our perfect weather, top‑tier ballparks, and world‑class hospitality. With 1.8 million fans expected across 10 stadiums, the impact is felt in every corner of the Valley — especially in tourism‑driven communities like #Scottsdale. Out‑of‑state visitors alone are projected to spend $210M to $590M on lodging, dining, transportation, and entertainment. Welcome to @scottsdaleazgov Cactus League fans! commonsenseinstituteus.org/arizona/resear…

We’re proud to announce that Scott Drucker, CEO of the @AZ_REALTORS, will receive CSI’s 2026 Champion for Prosperity Award at this year’s Free Enterprise Summit. Leading an organization representing 57,000+ Arizona REALTORS®, Scott has consistently stepped into complex policy debates to advance free-market solutions that support homeowners, businesses, and long-term growth. Join us in celebrating leadership that keeps Arizona competitive on April 9. Learn more & register: bit.ly/3MqhTZY

Arizona Tourism Director Alix Skelpsa Ridgway To Be Honored By Common Sense Institute azfreenews.com/2026/03/arizon… @AZFreeNews @AZTourismNews @CSInstituteAZ