Shoring up economy gives state's workers a better deal - 2005-03-01
You don't have to be a fortuneteller to know what will happen to a proposal to boost the minimum wage in Republican-dominated Arizona.

Democratic state Rep. Steve Gallardo's bill would elevate the minimum to $7.10 an hour from $5.15. It would seem a particularly attractive measure, with so many stuck in low-wage jobs. But a phenomenon of the age is people voting against their self-interest.
Read the full story at Arizona Republic

Australian forecaster warns of slowing global economy - 2005-03-01
The global economy is ready to slow this year hitting some of Australia's largest trading partners hardest, the government's chief commodities forecaster warned Tuesday.

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) said in its annual commodities publication it expects world economic growth to ease to 3.7 percent this calender year and to 3.6 percent in 2006 after running at 4.6 percent in 2004.
Read the full story at Channel News Asia