Ann: World Class Lithium Research Centre to Officially Open, page-19

They had to get this done while the hosting agency is still in business. It might be gone in a month.

With just months to go before the agency ceases to exist, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and Republican legislative leaders are still negotiating legislation that would reauthorize the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA).

Why it matters: The ACA, created in 2011, is Arizona's lead economic development agency and works to recruit major business to the state.

• Unless the Legislature and Hobbs enact legislation continuing the agency, it will expire on July 1.

State of play: Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek), who leads the Arizona Freedom Caucus, is pushing legislation to abolish the ACA, partly repeal some of the tax credits and incentives it oversees, and parcel out its duties to other agencies. Hoffman views the ACA as the "epitome of cronyism" and believes it lacks legislative oversight.

• His bill awaits a vote in the full Senate. If it passes, it would go back to the House.
• Meanwhile, ACA supporters passed a new bill in committee last week to continue the ACA for five years.
• https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/04/04/gop-legislative-leaders-reforms-arizona-commerce-authority