The Dealmaker: 10/10/2017

On the Ballot: Voters being asked to open wallets for regional transportation. (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents a coalition of property and business owners throughout Pinal County working to bring new transportation infrastructure to the county.) “For Maricopa, [Props. 416 & 417] could mean several direct improvements including additional lanes on major roads… the securing of a right-of-way for the future Interstate 11 corridor, and public transportation expansion.” See why Maricopa City Councilmember, Nancy Smith, and Pinal County Public Works Director, Andrew Smith, are giving major props to the props, at InMaricopa. http://bit.ly/2xvYnDG

The future-proof single-family builder. Mindful of the “recent hurricanes that have hit Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean islands,” and with an eye toward “prepar[ing] for the next economic ‘rainy day,’” consultant George Casey offers up what he contends is a “strategy that’s proven to weather good times or bad.” In Builder. http://bit.ly/2wMcKiW

Reality check: Using VR to sell homes. “Using a variety of VR-based selling techniques including headsets attached to gaming consoles,” Pulte is one such homebuilder that “is able to sell as many as half of the homes in some of its communities before breaking ground.” And while the “benefits of virtual reality systems go beyond the sales center,” they have Builder’s Drew Vass wondering if they’re “worth the cost” of gear (headsets, cameras, computers, etc.). http://bit.ly/2yW7XMt

Millennials’ new weapon in bidding wars: A parent’s home equity. “Parents refinance their home to fund the full cost of their son or daughter’s desired home. This allows the child [child?! — more like a 25 -to -35-year-old that’s finally ready to move out of the folks’ basement!] to compete as a desirable all-cash buyer in an area where bidding wars are common. Then, when the purchase closes, the child refinances the new home and pays the parents back.” WSJ (Subscriber Content). http://bit.ly/2yaCHdw

Benchmark Electronics selects Tempe for HQ location. “After a six-month, extensive site selection process, global design, engineering and manufacturing leader Benchmark Electronics… announced its new corporate headquarters will be located at Rio 2100, a new 52-acre, Class A office park situated in the heart of Tempe [at the SW intersection of Loop 101 and 202].” Real Estate Daily News. http://bit.ly/2fYNYFz

Tempe health center brings clinic, services, exercise together. “[Mountain Park Health Center’s] new 32,000-square-foot clinic — located on the site of an old boat yard at Broadway… and McClintock — includes [public spaces for outdoor activities and gatherings in addition to traditional health-care facilities].” There’s also “an additional 10,000 [sq. ft.] pegged for future expansion.” Further details and rendering in East Valley Tribune. http://bit.ly/2zdLPhF

Sedona church makes list of nation’s coolest buildings. The Chapel of the Holy Cross has been named by Thrillist as one of the thirty-one “Most Bad[@#$] Buildings in America You’ve Probably Never Heard Of.” Find out why the Empire State Building -inspired church “made the cut,” and get the link to the complete Thrillist list at KTAR. http://bit.ly/2yWb2we

Surprise aims to better connect and improve ‘deteriorated’ roads. “If approved, bond funding would add more lanes to Greenway and Waddell near where they connect to Loop 303.” Additionally, funds would be used to “repave roads less traveled — like ones in residential areas.” Vice Mayor Todd Tande: “We’re going to pay it sooner or later, so why don’t we get it done now?” AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2hzNaaF

Councilwoman Kate Gallego enters Phoenix mayoral race. “Gallego is the second Democrat [councilmember this week] to announce interest in the position [Councilman Daniel Valenzuela announced his candidacy on Oct. 5]… Gallego has represented District 8… since 2014. Her priorities while on council have included transportation, infrastructure, neighborhood safety and equal pay for women.” AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2yercUn

The most wasteful government agency you’ve never heard of — unless you live in Arizona. Living in the Southwest, we’ve grown familiar with local media reports surrounding the Navajo Housing Authority. Now, Reason looks into the “scandal-ridden governmental entity” and its “long and storied history of waste, fraud, and abuse of federal funds.” http://bit.ly/2yWXMan

Cameron’s $5M + deals of the day – http://bit.ly/2hzViYH

Voter registration deadline for November elections is today. “The deadline for eligible citizens to register to vote in the 26 upcoming local elections in Maricopa County is Tuesday, Oct. 10.” Don’t pass up the last chance this year to get one of those “I Voted” stickers! Tap to Rose Law Group Reporter now and find out how to register! http://bit.ly/2yeoMF8

[ANALYSIS] For a few minutes, you’re a member of the U.S. House. Using a family allowance scenario as an analogy, Senior Reporter/Writer, Phil Riske, sums up perfectly the “continuing gridlock in Congress” — in Rose Law Group Reporter. http://bit.ly/2gcceaV

Lawsuit asks FDA to disclose how dying people can access unapproved meds. “[Goldwater Institute] wants [a] U.S. District Court… to order the [FDA] to disclose exactly how it reached the decision to allow two people infected with the Ebola virus to be administered ZMapp even though the drug had not yet been approved…” Goldwater attorney Jonathan Riches: “If the FDA can do that in this case, can it do it in other cases where other sick and dying Americans might need access to investigational drugs?” But could “various exceptions to the federal Freedom of Information Act” hamper Goldwater’s efforts? Find out in this Capitol Media Service/Howard Fischer report at Arizona Daily Star. http://bit.ly/2yabNm6

Cup It Up closes amid harassment over Facebook post. “Cup It Up American Grill closed for good on Monday, three days after two of its owners posted a… statement on Facebook that prompted angry social media backlash and calls to boycott the University of Arizona area restaurant.” See what caused all the furor in Arizona Daily Star. http://bit.ly/2yawlen

Adults spend 12 hours per day with media. <–That, according to “eMarketer’s latest media time spent figures.” Axios breaks down the numbers by medium and explains why they matter. So, if you’re looking to add another minute or two onto your media-time-spent total, tap it –> http://bit.ly/2gaCeUe