Common Sense Institute Arizona

🗳️ Ballots are out! Between the candidates, propositions, school bonds and local tax measures, there's A LOT to unpack. And some of the decisions closest to home could have a real impact on your wallet. CSI has released nonpartisan, data-driven regional ballot guides to help you understand what's being proposed, what it could cost and what it could mean for your community. 📍 We've got you covered across Arizona with ballot guides for: - Central Arizona - Northern Arizona - Southern & Western Arizona No political spin. Just the facts behind the measures on your ballot. 🔗 Check out the guides before you vote: commonsenseinstituteus.org/r…

What could shifting more school funding toward instruction look like? CSI estimates that if additional instructional funding followed the current spending mix, the statewide average teacher salary could increase by nearly $10,000, from $65,613 to $75,552. If all of the additional funding went to teacher compensation, the increase would be more than $13,000. CSI’s analysis of Proposition 320 breaks down the numbers behind the measure and what they could mean for Arizona schools. GET THE FACTS BEFORE YOU VOTE ON OR BEFORE NOV 3! bit.ly/46W6Bn3

🗳️ ELECTION DAY IS JUST 3 DAYS AWAY! Northern Arizona, do you know what's on your ballot? CSI's 2026 Northern Arizona Ballot Guide breaks down the numbers behind key local measures, including: 📍 Flagstaff Prop 404: A proposed 0.5% sales tax increase estimated to generate $18.2 million annually for public safety. 📍 Prescott Prop 405: A proposed school district budget override that would generate $2.1 million annually for teacher pay and hiring. 📍 Humboldt Prop 407: A proposed $79.6 million school bond for facility repairs, renovations, and safety improvements. What could these measures mean for your community, local spending, and property taxes? GET THE FACTS. GO VOTE! 🇺🇸 commonsenseinstituteus.org/r…

ELECTION DAY IS JUST 4 DAYS AWAY!! What will the results mean for Arizona, and what's next at the State Capitol? Join Common Sense Institute Arizona and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership for a special post-election Coffee & Common Sense as we unpack the 2026 election results and look ahead to priorities of the 2027 legislative session. EVENT DETAILS Date: Tuesday, November 17 Time: 9:00 AM Panel: Laddie Shane, President, Roosevelt Strategy Group Joe Wolf, Founder, Fillmore Partners REGISTER TODAY: bit.ly/4BhTY3M

Election Day is just FOUR DAYS away!! Did you know that Arizona ranks 49th in the nation for the share of school spending going directly to instruction? According to CSI’s Ballot Guide analysis of Proposition 320, Arizona directs 52.1% of day-to-day school funding to instruction, compared with a national average of 58.8%. If Arizona matched the national average, CSI finds that would add $973 per student for instructional expenses. Get the facts before you vote ⬇️ bit.ly/46W6Bn3

How can we make college more affordable for Arizona families? It starts with knowing what resources are available. CSI Executive Director Katie Ratlief joined Arizona Horizon to discuss new research on gaps in financial literacy, the benefits of 529 college savings plans, and why too many families miss out on tools that could help them prepare for higher education. WATCH ⬇️ Learn more in CSI's full report: bit.ly/47QnLTn Watch the full interview: bit.ly/3UvZvmG

Arizona’s arts nonprofits may be fewer in number, but they’re generating significant economic activity. 🎨 New coverage from The Center Square highlights CSI research finding Arizona ranks 47th in arts nonprofits per capita, but climbs to 26th nationally in arts nonprofit revenue per capita, generating about $141 per Arizona resident. What’s behind Arizona’s growing arts economy? Check out the coverage and dig into CSI’s research ⬇️ commonsenseinstituteus.org/r…

🗳️ TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO MAIL YOUR BALLOT! Today is the last recommended day to mail your ballot. And remember, every part of your ballot matters!! From local ballot measures to school bonds and tax proposals, the decisions down your ballot can have a big impact on your wallet and community. CSI's nonpartisan Ballot Guides break down the facts to help you make informed decisions before casting your vote. GET THE FACTS BEFORE YOU VOTE ⬇️ bit.ly/4zUoDSW

Arizona, don't stop at the top of your ballot! We get it. Between the candidates, propositions, school bonds and local tax measures, there's A LOT to sort through. But those down-ballot decisions could have a big impact on your budget and community. The good news is CSI has done the research for you. Our nonpartisan regional ballot guides break down what's on the ballot with research covering Central, Northern, Southern and Western Arizona. 🔗 Take a look before you cast your vote: commonsenseinstituteus.org/r…

According to the latest CSI analysis of BLS data, Arizona's private sector lost 2,800 jobs in September, while government employment added 2,500. Professional and business services saw the largest decline, losing 1,600 jobs. See which industries are gaining and losing jobs in CSI's latest Labor Force Update: bit.ly/4zLvwGa

What will the 2026 election results mean for Arizona, and what's next at the State Capitol? Join Common Sense Institute Arizona and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership for a special post-election Coffee & Common Sense as we unpack the 2026 election results, discuss the issues shaping Arizona's future, and look ahead to the 2027 legislative session. 📅 Tuesday, November 17 ⏰ 9:00 AM Featuring panelists: Laddie Shane, President of Roosevelt Strategy Group Joe Wolf, Founder of Fillmore Partners The election will be over, but the conversations about Arizona's future will be just getting started. REGISTER TODAY: bit.ly/4BhTY3M

New CSI research finds that Arizona shed another 300 jobs in September, marking two consecutive months of job losses. Learn more: bit.ly/4zLvwGa

Ballots are out, election season is in full swing, and big decisions are ahead for Arizona! What will the results mean for Arizona, and what's next at the State Capitol? Join Common Sense Institute Arizona and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership for a special post-election Coffee & Common Sense as we unpack the 2026 election results, discuss the issues shaping Arizona's future, and look ahead to the 2027 legislative session. 📅 Tuesday, November 17 ⏰ 9:00 AM The election will be over, but the conversations about Arizona's future will be just getting started. REGISTER TODAY: commonsenseinstituteus.org/e…

CSI's latest analysis of BLS employment data found that Arizona's unemployment rate has been steadily increasing, reaching a new post-pandemic high of 4.8%. Learn more: bit.ly/4ydGO5S

Arizona's childcare shortage is putting pressure on families and the workforce. CSI research shows this is a statewide challenge. In 2024, Arizona had just 256,267 licensed childcare slots for an estimated 460,882 children under age 6 who could need care. As Arizona grows, access to affordable childcare is becoming an increasingly important economic issue. Learn more: bit.ly/4xkCfWR Read the article: bit.ly/4ylBIU8

Are Arizona students prepared to pay for college? New CSI research reveals a troubling gap in financial education. In a small survey of Arizona-area students: 📚 65% had never heard of a 529 college savings plan. 💰 62% had never learned about saving or investing for college in school. Students are thinking about college, but many don't know the tools available to help pay for it. CSI's latest report examines how financial education and access to college savings tools could help more Arizona families prepare for the cost of higher education. Learn more: bit.ly/47QnLTn

What could shifting more school funding toward instruction look like? CSI estimates that if additional instructional funding followed the current spending mix, the statewide average teacher salary could increase by nearly $10,000, from $65,613 to $75,552. If all of the additional funding went to teacher compensation, the increase would be more than $13,000. CSI’s Proposition 320 Ballot Guide breaks down the numbers behind the measure and what they could mean for Arizona schools. Get the facts before you vote: bit.ly/46W6Bn3

Does where schools spend their money matter? CSI’s analysis of Arizona school districts found a positive relationship between the share of spending devoted to instruction and student proficiency, even after accounting for factors including poverty, district size, total spending, staffing and prior performance. CSI’s Proposition 320 Ballot Guide report takes a deeper look at the data behind the measure. Learn more: bit.ly/46W6Bn3