Grand Canyon Institute

The Grand Canyon Institute (GCI) provides non-partisan, fact-based research and education to decision makers and the public on policies which affect the economic, fiscal and social future of Arizona. The principal objective of GCI is to elevate the fiscal and economic implications of policy initiatives and decisions.

The Grand Canyon Institute (GCI) is Arizona's only independent, non-partisan think tank. We provide credible, objective and evidence-based research regarding economic, fiscal and budgetary issues facing Arizona. Our research reports inform the state's policy makers, community leaders, media and general public. Established in 2011, our research findings and recommendations have influenced the course of policy decisions in Arizona. The following are a few of our achievements:

Unemployment Insurance Reform - GCI's research has shaped policy discussions in Arizona about the critical need to improve the state's unemployment insurance program as jobless people have suffered severe economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We've been working hard to help legislators develop the best policy solution for improved unemployment assistance.

Charter School Financial Accountability and Transparency - GCI's research found that half of all charter schools have cash flow issues or other serious financial shortcomings. In addition 77 percent of Arizona's public charter schools use taxpayer funds for questionable financial transactions, which are legal based on current charter school law. Several of our recommendations have been incorporated into legislation and regulatory rules proposed.

Proposition 206, Minimum Wage Increase - In 2019, GCI's research found that Arizona's minimum wage had increased incomes for food service workers by 14% while finding no evidence of job losses in that sector. GCI's economic analysis of the 2016 minimum wage ballot proposition ensured that voters could make an informed choice when going to the polls. After the ballot measure was approved by a majority of voters, GCI's analysis and additional research were used when the ballot measure was challenged in Arizona's Supreme Court, which decided in favor of the proposition's legality.

Tax conformity - GCI's research found that if Arizona conforms to the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in Dec. 2017 it would raise $200 million in revenue due to the reduction or elimination of certain exemptions and deductions. It found that conformity would primarily impact Arizona's top 1% of income earners with household incomes over $882,657 per year.

KidsCare Funding - GCI's 2016 research into KidsCare showed that by extending coverage to 30,000 additional children through the federally-funded Children's Health Insurance Program, the state would gain approximately $40 million in direct economic benefits, $75 million in total economic benefits, and nearly $3 million in added state and local revenue. At the time, Gov. Jan Brewer agreed to unfreeze state funding for the program given the evidence in support of making the investment.

Medicaid Expansion - In 2012, in the midst of intense opposition to the Affordable Care Act and the Obama Administration's efforts to extend health care coverage, GCI conducted research that concluded Arizona would benefit from the receipt of billions of dollars of federal funds if the state signed up for the full Medicaid Expansion Program. Subsequently, Gov. Jan Brewer's Medicaid Director reached a similar conclusion and the governor opted to recommend the full Medicaid Expansion to the Legislature, which was eventually enacted.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, GCI relies on donations to make its research possible. Please consider supporting our efforts to inform and influence policy with credible, independent and evidence-based research focused on building a fiscally strong and economically vibrant Arizona. Help us make facts available to Arizonans so that they can make responsible decisions regarding policies that affect all of us.

Feel free to review our Board of Directors on our website (http://grandcanyoninstitute.org/about-us/board-of-directors/) so you can clearly understand why we say we are an independent, non-partisan think tank.