Forget fears of sequestration. And never mind the hike in payroll taxes that shrunk paychecks.

Arizona's economic recovery is flattening out statewide, with job growth outside the Phoenix metro area for this year and next predicted to be anemic.

Tribal gaming revenues in Arizona slipped a bit last quarter over the same time a year earlier, the first time that's happened in more than two years.

New unemployment numbers released Thursday suggest the state's economic recovery is weakening.

Hundreds of teachers at religious schools around the state could soon be at risk of being laid off with no prospect of collecting jobless benefits.

Arizona's self-employed could be in line to get a tax break designed to partly offset a $900 increase in what they're paying to the federal government.

The share of tax dollars that actually wind up in Arizona classrooms slid again last year, to the lowest level in the 12 years the state has been monitoring.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. job market is proving sturdier than expected at a time when the economy is under pressure from Washington gridlock and the threat of government spending cuts.

Social Security, when it began, wasn’t a bad idea. The problem is what it has morphed into. We should get back to the “safety-net” that it was intended to be in the first place. But any changes should be “fair” to everyone. SS is a good (not great) program for the poorer citizens, but it’s a lousy “investment vehicle” for the more affluent. We could start by freezing the “top” benefit payment, and only increase payments for those not yet at the maximum level, until everyone is receiving the current maximum benefit. At the same time we could slowly start decreasing payroll tax rates (at a revenue neutral rate) back down towards the 1% where SS started out at. This would increase everyone’s paycheck, raise benefits for those who need it, and after a couple of generations it would bring the SS program back to the safety-net that it was intended to be. And as for those currently receiving the maximum benefit, start by gradually lowering the tax rates on benefits until SS benefits are back to being tax-free, just like when it started out.

“Why it is always a cold snap or a heat wave, but never a cold wave or a heat snap? Just askin’.”

Mayor Greg Stanton said he is remaining cautiously optimistic after hearing the news of a deal reached concerning the fiscal cliff.

WASHINGTON — Efforts to save the nation from going over a year-end "fiscal cliff" were in disarray as lawmakers fled the Capitol for their Christmas break. "God only knows" how a deal can be reached now, House Speaker John Boehner declared.

As the calendar ticks toward Dec. 31, here are some last-minute, year-end tips recommended by financial professionals:

Raise taxes on the wealthy. Cut spending on the poor and middle class. The battle rages on.

Dear Debt Adviser: I have read a lot on whether it is wise to withdraw 401(k) savings early to pay off debts. The answer is always no. But I believe my situation may be different. Our two-income household has suddenly become one-income. Even if a new job is found, a pay cut is inevitable. Unemployment doesn’t even cover food and gasoline.

I am so tempted to write the words “I told you so” over and over again up to the 500-word limit allowed for a commentary in this newspaper. It would be so easy to gloat about how liberals won and conservatives lost. It would make me giddy to point out how Arizona is so out-of-touch with the rest of the Left Coast.

I am so tempted to write the words “I told you so” over and over again up to the 500 word limit allowed for a commentary in this newspaper. It would be so easy to gloat about how liberals won and conservatives lost. It would make me giddy to point out how Arizona is so out-of-touch with the rest of the Left Coast.

The holidays are upon us and it’s that time of year to think about unique ideas and special gifts for the special people in our lives.

If Congress lets the country go off the fiscal cliff, how much will it cost you?

Why should government take so much of the bread of our labor? Are we to be slaves? Can’t we just tax the rich? The answer is: not really. Ask yourself: from where do the rich get their money? The rich get their money from us. When we purchase various products, we pay the seller; and the seller delivers a product. How does government taxation compare? We give our tax dollars to the government, but what do we receive?

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama isn't talking about it and neither is Mitt Romney. But come January, 163 million workers can expect to feel the pinch of a big tax increase regardless of who wins the election.

People complaining about people not paying federal income tax should know the truth ... not the propaganda spewed by some radio personalities. Here are facts courtesy of Forbes Magazine, a Republican Bible. The vast majority of non-income taxpayers fall into three categories: