How Arizona Compares: Research Team

• arizona’ s land and people • crime and punishment • APC car health and health ARIZONA POLICY CHOICES onment e • education • b • education • e ansportation • envir • ansportation How Arizona usiness futur usiness e • housing • tr • housing • e Compares Real Numbers and Hot Topics es JANUARY 2005 arts and cultur and arts • government • income and families • SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS / COLLEGE OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS w arizona compar es: real numbers and hot topics • ho • how arizona compar How Arizona Compares: Research Team Morrison Institute for Public Policy Morrison Institute for Public Policy is pleased to present How Arizona Rob Melnick Compares: Real Numbers and Hot Topics, the 5th edition of Arizona Policy Nancy Welch Choices. The only publications of their kind in Arizona, previous issues include: Bill Hart With Assistance From David Berman > Balancing Acts: Tax Cuts and Public Policy in Arizona Laura Davis > Growth in Arizona: The Machine in the Garden Richard Heffernon Eugene Slechta > The New Economy: A Guide for Arizona Suzanne Taylor > Five Shoes Waiting to Drop on Arizona’s Future Richard Toon Walter Valdivia Suzanne Ernstein The Arizona Policy Choices volumes seek to do more than report. They are Nielle McCammon designed to assist decision making, stimulate debate, and serve as references. Dennis Mitchell Azadeh Osanloo Cherylene Schick Arizona Policy Choices volumes have gained notice in Arizona and across Alice Willey the country for creative content and clear communication. This tradition Gwen Wisneski continues with How Arizona Compares: Real Numbers and Hot Topics. The Tracy Clark Bank One Economic Outlook Center publication offers comparative data and analysis on 10 public policy Arizona State University issues. With its scope and detail, How Arizona Compares will be of interest Nancy Dallett Projects in the Public Interest to many throughout Arizona and, I hope, encourage leaders and residents to Rebecca Gau discuss and move ahead on the state’s most pressing public policy issues. Mark Goldstein I invite you to study How Arizona Compares and to use this publication for International Research Center dialogue and action. Linda Sandler Consultant Publication Coordinator Karen Leland Publication Design Karen C. Heard Rob Melnick, Ph.D. Chalk Design Suzanne P. Landtiser Director, Morrison Institute for Public Policy Fine Line Studio Associate Vice President for Economic Affairs and Public Policy Cover Illustration Arizona State University © 2005 John Nelson John Nelson is a nationally known artist and resident of Tempe, Arizona. w arizona compares: real numbers and hot topics • how arizona compare How Arizona Compares Real Numbers and Hot Topics Morrison Institute for Public Policy / School of Public Affairs / College of Public Programs / Arizona State University • acknoAcknowledgementswledgements • acknowledgements • acknowledgements • contents • contents • contents • contents The Assistance of the Following Subject Specialists is Acknowledged Gratefully. Eric Anderson Bradford Kirkman-Liff Maricopa Association of Governments School of Health Management and Policy Dan Anderson Arizona State University Arizona Board of Regents Paul Koehler Elizabeth Arias Governor’s Office National Center for Health Statistics Aaron Kupchik Josie Atienza School of Justice and Social Inquiry The Foundation Center Arizona State University Steve Ballance Debbie Lowe Arizona Criminal Justice Commission U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Louann Bierlein Palmer Stacey Lowe Department of Teaching, Learning, U.S. Census Bureau and Leadership Susan MacManus Western Michigan University Institute of Government Teresa Brice-Heames University of South Florida Housing for Mesa Carlos Eduardo Martín Del E. Webb School of Construction Linda Brown Arizona State University Arizona Clean Elections Institute Timothy McCluskey Jay Butler AeA Arizona Arizona Real Estate Center Arizona State University Frank McCullagh Arizona Department of Transportation Ginger Ward Southwest Human Development Dan McLean National Association of State Park Directors Tracy Clark Bank One Economic Outlook Center Myra Millinger Arizona State University Maricopa Partnership for Arts and Culture Shelley Cohn Alex Molnar Arizona Commission on the Arts Department of Education Leadership and Policy Studies George Cunningham Arizona State University Governor’s Office Christoper Mrela Daryl Fischer Arizona Department of Health Services Arizona Department of Corrections Dana Naimark Ed Fox Children’s Action Alliance APS Laura Peck Grady Gammage, Jr., School of Public Affairs Gammage and Burnham Arizona State University Venetia Gempler John Pein U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Arizona Department of Transportation Patricia Gober Charles Redman Department of Geography Center for Environmental Studies Arizona State University Arizona State University Jay Golden Tom Rex Sustainable Technology Program Center for Business Research Arizona State University Arizona State University Jeff Gray Beth Rosenberg Arizona Department of Housing Children’s Action Alliance John Hall Julia Rosen School of Public Affairs Office of Economic Affairs Arizona State University Arizona State University Jeanmarie Haney Scott Sheldon The Nature Conservancy Arizona Nonprofit Weekly News & Review John Hepburn Tina Valdecañas School of Justice and Social Inquiry Greater Phoenix Economic Council Arizona State University Randy J. Virden Stephanie Hiatt Department of Community Resources Center for Nonprofit Leadership & Management and Development Arizona State University Arizona State University Fran Huehls Vincent Webb Indiana University Center on Philanthropy Department of Criminal Justice Kathy Jacobs Arizona State University West Water Resources Research Center Thomas Wickenden University of Arizona Arizona Board of Regents Fred Karnas Nancy Wrona Governor’s Office Arizona Department of Environmental Quality • contents • wledgements • Contentscontents • contents • contents • contents 6 38 Polishing the 48th Star Families and Incomes How is Arizona doing? “Just fair” is the answer. Many families struggle economically, and more than 10 250,000 children are growing up in poverty. Inside How Arizona Compares 44 How Arizona Compares is organized around Signal Measures on Hot Topics 10 broad public policy topics. Thirty measures are presented for 50 states. A Quick Look at 12 46 How Arizona Compares Arizona’s Land and People Government The 5th Edition of Arizona Policy Choices Arizona was once known as the “baby state” Arizonans perennially debate how How Arizona Compares: because, until Alaska and Hawaii, it was the last much they pay in taxes versus how much to join the union. In many ways Arizona is they get in return. The issue for governance Real Numbers and Hot Topics a far different place than it was in 1912, long term, though, is voter turnout. though the topography and climate of this > Is a unique reference tool for Arizonans. “great dry land” have remained constant. 52 It gives readers “briefings” on 10 important Arts and Culture public policy topics. 16 Arts and culture has been redefined Crime and Punishment as a player in economic development and > Presents state and metropolitan Facing some of the nation’s highest the revitalization of communities crime rates, Arizona sends about as many in addition to its value for the soul. comparative rankings based on data that residents to prison every year as it are widely accepted as fair and accurate. graduates from community colleges. 58 Housing > Provides analysis of hot policy issues 22 Arizona’s housing market is booming, facing Arizona and the policy choices that Health and Health Care but not for everybody. could move the state up in the rankings. Health and health care: Having the best Affordability is a relative term. of both remains an elusive goal for many > Offers a new sense of the state. Arizonans, especially for the approximately 62 17% without health insurance. Transportation “Polishing the 48th Star” gives readers Arizona grew up with the automobile, a “big picture” analysis of how our 26 but 21st century transportation calls for state compares. Education more than cars and trucks. Virtually all Arizonans agree on the need > Includes new public opinion data on for high educational achievement among the 66 state’s residents. Progress has been made Environment how Arizonans think their state and recently, but too slowly in the eyes of many. Arizona’s people and environment are major metropolitan areas compare increasingly at odds. Sustainability offers a way with others. 32 out of “either-or” thinking and living. Business Futures > Features a centerpiece, “Signal Measures Arizonans’ incomes are low, but an 71 on Hot Topics,” of comparative data on entrepreneurial culture and a belief in a high tech Selected Sources future offer optimism for the state’s economy. 30 key issues for all 50 states. HOW ARIZONA COMPARES: REAL NUMBERS AND HOT TOPICS 5 • polishing the 48th star • polishing the 48th star • polishing the 48th star • polishing the 48th star • polishing the 48th Polishing48th the Star George W.P. Hunt led Arizona into the Union. Fat, bald, and far from politically correct, Hunt might not fit in well with today’s image-obsessed politics, but his words of 90 years ago still ring true: Stirring words, but what does Arizona’s star repre- sent in 2005? Or, in less ornate language: How is “The 48th star, which so proudly Arizona doing? represents the youngest “Just fair” is the answer, according to how Arizona compares to other states on important

Load more