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Where politicians eat in Phoenix

When the powerful come to town, they eat Mexican food.

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When the powerful come to town, they eat Mexican food.<ul><li>That&#x27;s according to an Axios review of presidential and vice presidential meal choices during Phoenix visits dating back to 1987.</li></ul>

Possible "super El Niño" could bring more rain and cooler temperatures to Arizona

A possible "super El Niño" this year could favor Arizona with cooler, wetter weather.

Meteorologists are bracing for what some are calling a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="super El Niño" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/13/el-nino-explainer?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other" data-vars-content-id="d06f04e2-c707-4337-b728-454d90e52d3e" data-vars-headline="Possible &quot;super El Niño&quot; could bring more rain and cooler temperatures to Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/13/el-nino-explainer?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other" target="_blank">super El Niño</a>,&quot; which could result in cooler temperatures and a wetter monsoon season for Arizona.Why it matters: The Valley&#x27;s been plagued by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="especially hot summers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/09/17/phoenix-summer-weather-fall-hotter" data-vars-content-id="d06f04e2-c707-4337-b728-454d90e52d3e" data-vars-headline="Possible &quot;super El Niño&quot; could bring more rain and cooler temperatures to Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/09/17/phoenix-summer-weather-fall-hotter" target="_self">especially hot summers</a> in recent years, and the region&#x27;s been suffering through a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/04/arizona-drought-water-cutbacks" data-vars-content-id="d06f04e2-c707-4337-b728-454d90e52d3e" data-vars-headline="Possible &quot;super El Niño&quot; could bring more rain and cooler temperatures to Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/04/arizona-drought-water-cutbacks" target="_self">massive drought</a> for more than two decades.

Potential United Airlines-American merger raises Phoenix hub concerns

A potential airline merger could impact Phoenix service and fares.

Reports of a potential merger between <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="United Airlines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/03/united-airlines-business-class-tiers" data-vars-content-id="8a4f938b-d9ce-425d-9eed-ef2fae93e17c" data-vars-headline="Potential United Airlines-American merger raises Phoenix hub concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/03/united-airlines-business-class-tiers" target="_self">United Airlines</a> and American Airlines are evoking painful memories of past megadeals that left the Valley without a major hub or airline headquarters. Why it matters: Major airline mergers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="often result in higher fares" data-vars-click-url="https://business.purdue.edu/news/features/2022/airline-mergers.php" data-vars-content-id="8a4f938b-d9ce-425d-9eed-ef2fae93e17c" data-vars-headline="Potential United Airlines-American merger raises Phoenix hub concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://business.purdue.edu/news/features/2022/airline-mergers.php" target="_blank">often result in higher fares</a> for all passengers, but they also can severely impact service at certain airports as the new company consolidates routes.

Phoenix summer deals offer locals big savings

Resorts and waterparks roll out steep summer discounts as tourism slows.

If you&#x27;re stuck in the Valley most of the summer, it&#x27;s time to make your plan for taking advantage of Phoenix&#x27;s slow season.Why it matters: When <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="temperatures shoot up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/08/01/heat-streaks-arizona-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="c50f1069-40e9-45ff-a973-492506eb5d8e" data-vars-headline="Phoenix summer deals offer locals big savings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/08/01/heat-streaks-arizona-climate-change" target="_self">temperatures shoot up</a>, tourism drops off and locals can get into resorts and attractions at significant discounts.

Filing deadline hits with no agreement yet on tax conformity

GOP lawmakers and Gov. Hobbs couldn't reach a deal on tax conformity before the filing deadline.

It&#x27;s Tax Day, and if you&#x27;ve been waiting for Gov. Katie Hobbs and GOP lawmakers to sort out their tax conformity fight before you file, you&#x27;re out of luck.Why it matters: Some taxpayers who itemize may need to file amended returns later this year, depending on what changes the governor and Legislature make to the tax code.

Phoenix poverty falls to lowest level in years

The percentage of Phoenix residents living below the poverty level fell to 10.3% last year.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Poverty in metro Phoenix" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/09/26/phoenix-poverty-housing-costs" data-vars-content-id="c4cc6d8b-3072-4204-9f6a-201483732a31" data-vars-headline="Phoenix poverty falls to lowest level in years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/09/26/phoenix-poverty-housing-costs" target="_self">Poverty in metro Phoenix</a> declined between 2019 and 2024 and sits at a lower level than in similarly sized U.S. cities, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau data.Why it matters: The improvement is another feather in the cap for state and local leaders who worked to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make Phoenix&#x27;s economy more resilient" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/01/11/arizona-business-confidence-looming-recession" data-vars-content-id="c4cc6d8b-3072-4204-9f6a-201483732a31" data-vars-headline="Phoenix poverty falls to lowest level in years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/01/11/arizona-business-confidence-looming-recession" target="_self">make Phoenix&#x27;s economy more resilient</a> following the Great Recession, which was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="particularly devastating in the Valley" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/jobs/2016/03/24/arizona-jobs-recovery-great-recession/82167332/" data-vars-content-id="c4cc6d8b-3072-4204-9f6a-201483732a31" data-vars-headline="Phoenix poverty falls to lowest level in years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/jobs/2016/03/24/arizona-jobs-recovery-great-recession/82167332/" target="_blank">particularly devastating in the Valley</a>.

As U.S. home insurance prices rise, Arizona stays below average

The national average for annual home insurance premiums is up 9% since 2023.

Extreme weather is driving insurance prices sky-high in some parts of the country, but Arizona rates are below average, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: Climate change is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="supercharging" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/15/climate-change-role-helene-milton-hurricanes" data-vars-content-id="c1070617-709f-4c33-9d09-764e31fbc691" data-vars-headline="As U.S. home insurance prices rise, Arizona stays below average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/15/climate-change-role-helene-milton-hurricanes" target="_self">supercharging</a> extreme weather events like hurricanes, increasing the odds of losses and claims and driving up insurance premiums.

Arizonans will see tax cuts from "big, beautiful bill"

Arizonans will see average tax savings of $3,521 next year.

Arizonans dodged a big tax hike when Congress passed the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;big, beautiful bill,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/trump-signs-big-beautiful-bill-tax-spending-budget" data-vars-content-id="a12165d4-2d63-47e3-a7d6-6649e82e0c72" data-vars-headline="Arizonans will see tax cuts from &quot;big, beautiful bill&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/trump-signs-big-beautiful-bill-tax-spending-budget" target="_self">&quot;big, beautiful bill,&quot;</a> making permanent the tax cuts of President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="a12165d4-2d63-47e3-a7d6-6649e82e0c72" data-vars-headline="Arizonans will see tax cuts from &quot;big, beautiful bill&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a>&#x27;s first term while adding many more. Why it matters: Tax cuts free up money for folks to spend on other things — which may be dearly needed as wages still haven&#x27;t caught up with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inflation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bankrate.com/banking/federal-reserve/wage-to-inflation-index/#hotter" data-vars-content-id="a12165d4-2d63-47e3-a7d6-6649e82e0c72" data-vars-headline="Arizonans will see tax cuts from &quot;big, beautiful bill&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bankrate.com/banking/federal-reserve/wage-to-inflation-index/#hotter" target="_blank">inflation</a> and tariffs threaten to push costs further.

Arizona becomes second state to create cryptocurrency reserve fund

Arizona is the second state to create a cryptocurrency reserve fund.

A new state law takes two big steps on cryptocurrency, including making Arizona the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second state in the U.S. to create a reserve fund" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-crypto-1283f8e0-2b8c-11f0-811b-17d7b34762f7" data-vars-content-id="2c58d288-8623-4e33-88d0-526d91e8a3dd" data-vars-headline="Arizona becomes second state to create cryptocurrency reserve fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-crypto-1283f8e0-2b8c-11f0-811b-17d7b34762f7" target="_self">second state in the U.S. to create a reserve fund</a> for virtual currency.State of play: Gov. Katie Hobbs on May 7 signed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legislation" data-vars-click-url="https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/GetDocumentPdf/526020" data-vars-content-id="2c58d288-8623-4e33-88d0-526d91e8a3dd" data-vars-headline="Arizona becomes second state to create cryptocurrency reserve fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/GetDocumentPdf/526020" target="_blank">legislation</a> updating Arizona&#x27;s unclaimed property laws for cryptocurrency and creating the Bitcoin and Digital Assets Reserve Fund.

What it takes to be part of the 1% in Arizona

The national average income to be a one-percenter is around $800,000.

It&#x27;s easier to get into the most elite echelon of income earners in Arizona than in a lot of other states, but the amount here is still pretty high.State of play: To be in the top 1% of earners in Arizona, you need to be making $697,721 annually, per IRS data.

Officials tout record low as Arizona's unemployment rate drops

Unemployment hasn't been lower since 1969.

Arizona&#x27;s unemployment rate is flirting with historic lows, according to the state&#x27;s Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO).The big picture: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2024 was 3.4%, according to OEO&#x27;s monthly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://oeo.az.gov/sites/default/files/document/emp-report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="624dfc23-2a32-4d3b-9faa-383a27b23cde" data-vars-headline="Officials tout record low as Arizona&#x27;s unemployment rate drops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://oeo.az.gov/sites/default/files/document/emp-report.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> released Thursday.

Why average Phoenix gas prices are above $4 per gallon

It may be April, but summer gas prices (and temperatures) are here already.

It may be April, but summer gas prices (and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="temperatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/04/10/90-degrees-2024-heat-wave" data-vars-content-id="926c9928-f6f0-4638-acc7-e15e8ca3f0bb" data-vars-headline="Why average Phoenix gas prices are above $4 per gallon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/04/10/90-degrees-2024-heat-wave" target="_self">temperatures</a>) are here already.Why it matters: High fuel prices are one of the largest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drivers of inflation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/consumerpriceindex_phoenix.htm" data-vars-content-id="926c9928-f6f0-4638-acc7-e15e8ca3f0bb" data-vars-headline="Why average Phoenix gas prices are above $4 per gallon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/consumerpriceindex_phoenix.htm" target="_blank">drivers of inflation</a> and are likely to play a role in how voters <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="perceive the economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/14/biden-economy-message-election" data-vars-content-id="926c9928-f6f0-4638-acc7-e15e8ca3f0bb" data-vars-headline="Why average Phoenix gas prices are above $4 per gallon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/14/biden-economy-message-election" target="_self">perceive the economy</a> in this competitive election year.

Valley singles need to save 19 more years than couples to afford a starter home

It takes singles more than 6 times as long as couples to save enough money for a down payment.

It takes singles more than six times as long as couples to save enough money for a down payment on a house in Phoenix, per a recent<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Point2 study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.point2homes.com/news/us-real-estate-news/singles-vs-couples-homeownership-savings.html" data-vars-content-id="d21280be-b2ef-4384-957f-4b48db9c06d3" data-vars-headline="Valley singles need to save 19 more years than couples to afford a starter home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.point2homes.com/news/us-real-estate-news/singles-vs-couples-homeownership-savings.html" target="_blank"> Point2 study</a>.Why it matters: The Valley used to be known for the abundant and affordable housing that drove our explosive population growth for generations, but it now faces a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive shortfall in housing units" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/07/13/arizona-solve-housing-shortage" data-vars-content-id="d21280be-b2ef-4384-957f-4b48db9c06d3" data-vars-headline="Valley singles need to save 19 more years than couples to afford a starter home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/07/13/arizona-solve-housing-shortage" target="_self">massive shortfall in housing units</a>, and that has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="driven up prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/06/09/you-need-87k-year-afford-average-home-phoenix" data-vars-content-id="d21280be-b2ef-4384-957f-4b48db9c06d3" data-vars-headline="Valley singles need to save 19 more years than couples to afford a starter home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/06/09/you-need-87k-year-afford-average-home-phoenix" target="_self">driven up prices</a> for single-family homes.

Many Valley millionaires are choosing to rent their homes

Renting by millionaires is on the rise nationwide

Several hundred millionaires in the Valley are choosing to rent instead of buy their homes, according to the latest data from RentCafe.Why it matters: We&#x27;ve long been told real estate is the best investment you can make. But more people with extra cash are choosing to put it elsewhere.

An arrow chart showing the change in the share of residents in the Phoenix metro area living below the poverty threshold from 2019 to 2024. The overall share has decreased from 12.1% to 10.3% in the time period, with variation by demographic group.

Change in the share of Phoenix residents living below poverty level from 2019 to 2024

Data: U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

Axios What's Next

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing the average annual home insurance premiums by state as of July 2025. Nebraska leads at $6,425, while Vermont trails at $834. The national average is $2,470.

Average annual home insurance premiums, July 2025</span

Data: Bankrate; Map: Alex Fitzpatrick/Axios

A choropleth map showing the estimated average U.S. tax cuts per filer in 2026 by county. The average tax cut is projected to be $3,752. About three quarters of counties are estimated see an average tax cut of less than $3,000, 20% will fall between $3,000 to $4,000, and the remainder are above $4,000.

Money

Filing deadline hits with no agreement yet on tax conformity

Phoenix poverty falls to lowest level in years

As U.S. home insurance prices rise, Arizona stays below average

Arizonans will see tax cuts from "big, beautiful bill"

Arizona becomes second state to create cryptocurrency reserve fund