Brand new Arizona Commerce Authority says: Don’t cut education funding

by David Safier

So far as I can tell, this hasn't made the state papers [NOTE: Yes it has. See Update below]. I found it on Forbes and in the Columbus, Indiana, Republic.

You know that new group the Republicans set up to replace the Arizona Department of Commerce? It's the Arizona Commerce Authority, a quasi-public entity with lots of power to spread money around which is supposed to promote economic growth.

So they hold their first meeting, and what do they do? They say cuts in education will create a climate that will discourage business from coming here.

[B]usiness leaders serving on the authority's board raised concerns about the state education system's ability to provide companies with trained work forces.

Former Intel Chairman Craig Barrett said the high-tech company chose to expand in Arizona largely because it leverages on Intel's existing big presence in the state.

But he said it might be different if Intel were starting from scratch on a site decision.

"I hate to say it (but) I think Arizona would not be in the top 10 to make that investment," he said

Compared with foreign competitors, the U.S. education system — and particularly that of Arizona — "is not particularly attractive," Barrett said.

And Arizona's current budget battle, including its likely impact on education, "doesn't bode well for the future," he said.

Let me repeat what the Intel guy said. Republicans have been high fiving over new Intel investments in Arizona, but Barrett said if the corporation weren't already here, he would discourage setting up an Arizona operation.

But . . . But . . . I thought all these corporations were going to hightail it out of California and settle in good old low-corporate-tax Arizona, bringing jobs and prosperity with them. At least, that's what Al Melvin, Russell Pearce and the whole gang led me to believe.

UPDATE: Howie Fischer is on the story. It's a better article than the one I cited. Let's hope it makes tomorrow's Star.