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January 05, 2009 | Business

Business groups' wish list for the legislature

Amid a huge state budget shortfall, business groups are seeking changes in the state's tax structure that includes permanently repealing a property tax that's set to return this fall.

Congressmen sound off against SEC in Madoff affair

Republican and Democratic House members said Monday that the alleged $50 billion fraud involving Wall Street figure Bernard Madoff reflects deep, systemic problems at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SRP blast causes $2.5 mil in damage

A SRP coal plant's 2009 opening could be set back by a New Year's Eve explosion that caused more than $2.5 million in damage.

5,000 stun-gun order for UK worth $5 mil

The United Kingdom has ordered 5,000 stun guns from Scottsdale-based Taser International Inc., Taser announced Monday.

Gaylord deal scrutinized after CityNorth ruling

A bed-tax rebate designed to bring a Gaylord hotel to Mesa could be questioned in the wake of a recent ruling by the Arizona Court of Appeals, according to the lawyer who won that case.

Farm capitalizes on compost

They might look like ordinary piles of dirt, but to farmer Ken Singh, they are his inventory, a valuable commodity of compost.

Collector-car sales lined up

This month, the Valley becomes a hotbed of classic cars, enthusiastic collectors and elaborate auctions. Here are two of the big ones.

Retail projects face delays

Developers made promises to Surprise residents in early 2008 about new retail projects but in the past few months many delayed their plans because of the economy and a nationwide drop in retail sales. Here are a few:

Borders Group names new CEO, posts lower sales

Borders Group Inc., which has struggled along with other booksellers as people buy more books online and from discounters, announced a new CEO and other top managers Monday as it also reported weak holiday sales.

Investors collect profits after last week's rally

Caution returned to Wall Street Monday as investors gave back some gains from last week's rally even as they found encouragement from President-elect Barack Obama's calls for an economic stimulus package.

Ford's Dec. sales drop 32 pct; Toyota down 37 pct

Huge rebates and zero-percent loans couldn't overcome economic uncertainty, as U.S. auto sales plunged 36 percent in December, capping a dismal year that saw sales free-fall by 2.9 million vehicles from 2007.

Apple's Jobs has hormone imbalance, will stay CEO

Apple Inc. founder Steve Jobs, a survivor of pancreatic cancer whose gaunt appearance in the past year has alarmed the Mac and iPod lovers who look to him as an oracle, said Monday that he has an easily treated hormone imbalance and will remain in charge of the company.