Author

Jim Small is a native Arizonan and has covered state government, policy and politics since 2004, with a focus on investigative and in-depth policy reporting, first as a reporter for the Arizona Capitol Times, then as editor of the paper and its prestigious sister publications. He has also served as the editor and executive director of the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting.
Report: Progressives seeking censure of Sinema over voting record
By: Jim Small - September 17, 2019
Progressives in Arizona want the state Democratic Party to formally censure U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema for failing to support the party platform and siding with President Donald Trump too often.
Jobs grow quickly in Maricopa County, but wages lag slightly
By: Jim Small - September 12, 2019
New figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics show that Arizona’s two largest counties saw a significant year-over-year growth in the number of jobs in the first quarter of 2019, but wage growth lagged behind.
Brandt’s claim that APS is widely loved doesn’t jibe with reality
By: Jim Small - September 4, 2019
“People around this state love APS. I go out and the kudos that are thrown at me are kind of embarrassing,” Don Brandt said in response to another question from Kennedy.
Taking stock: APS’s election spending meant millions for its CEO
By: Jim Small and Jeremy Duda - September 3, 2019
Don Brandt, the CEO of both APS and Pinnacle West, reaped massive personal profits after APS spent $16 million to elect regulators in the 2014 and 2016 elections.
Sinema is most bipartisan Senate Democrat: report
By: Jim Small - August 23, 2019
Arizona’s senior senator is the most bipartisan Democrat in the U.S. Senate so far in the current congressional term, a new analysis finds.
School vouchers awarded up 33% this year, but oversight funding unchanged
By: Jim Small - August 21, 2019
The Arizona Department of Education says a record 8,200 students are expected to receive $110 million in school vouchers this school year.
Study: AZ among the worst in vaccination rates
By: Jim Small - August 20, 2019
An analysis of public health data finds that Arizona has been acutely affected by the rise of the anti-vaccination movement, and ranks No. 4 in the nation in granting the most exemptions to school children.
‘Trump Unity Bridge’ float comes to AZ Capitol
By: Jim Small - August 19, 2019
Workers near the Arizona Capitol were jarred Monday when a pro-Trump float blasting Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" briefly posted up outside the Executive Tower, where Gov. Doug Ducey's office is located.
Flake: Racist language doesn’t make Trump racist
By: Jim Small - August 16, 2019
Former U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake says President Donald Trump is guilty of making racist statements, but critics “go too far” when they use those statements to castigate Trump as a racist.
In wake of El Paso shooting, Fann missed her chance to condemn Allen’s toxic ‘great replacement’ beliefs
By: Jim Small - August 6, 2019
Make no mistake: The beliefs that animate Sylvia Allen's proclamation that the United States of America is on the verge of destruction are virtually indistinguishable from those that animate racist mass killers.
Response to weekend mass shootings from Arizona’s congressional delegation
By: Jim Small - August 4, 2019
Here are the social media responses to the shootings from Arizona’s congressional delegation, along with how much money they have received from gun-rights and gun-control groups during their congressional campaigns.
GOP appetite to decry its racists evaporates in the face of political consequences
By: Jim Small - August 1, 2019
What a difference a year – and a competitive seat – makes when it comes to the willingness of Arizona Republicans to put up with racism in their ranks.