Laurie Roberts

opinion columnist

It’s been eight months since Gov. Doug Ducey announced what we in Arizona really need.

Eight months since Arizona Commerce Authority began work on a bold plan to proclaim to the world who we are and what awaits them in our glorious state.

No, not by actually making changes that would improve our state.

By coming up with a new state motto.

Education? Opportunities? Nope - we need this

Some states might consider creating a robust education system to sell corporate CEOs on the moving their companies here. Others might market the tremendous opportunities that await people.

Here, in Arizona, we don’t need any of that stuff -- which is good considering a recent state report that said the largest segment of jobs being created now don't require a high school diploma.

No, what we in Arizona really need is …

… A killer slogan.

“We are thinking big and this is much more than a marketing tool,” Ducey said, in announcing the slogan search last August. “I am committed to making Arizona the best place to live, work and start and business and this project will help us communicate all we have to offer in those continued efforts.”

Eight months later, and no slogan

Turns out it must be tougher than it seems to come up with a slogan because it’s been eight months and thus far, we’ve got nothing. I called the ACA to find out the source of the holdup, but alas, nobody got back to me.

I pretty sure they’re busy brainstorming.

Well, because I’m a team player, I thought I’d put the old brain cells to work, too, and offer a few ideas to tell the world what we’re about.

Of course, there’s always the old standby: Can’t Spell CrAZy Without AZ.

But come on, people, we can do better. We must do our part in helping Gov. Ducey dream up a rallying cry.

How about this for a rallying cry?

That's why I humbly offer seven suggestions for slogans depicting the current state of our beloved state.

Arizona: Where Most Every Vote Counts

Arizona: Best in the Nation for Edukashun

Arizona: Land of a Canyon that’s Grand and a Government that Isn’t

Arizona: The Only Thing Darker than Our Night Skies Is Our Campaign Cash

Arizona: Life’s Grand ... Unless You’re a Kid

Arizona: No. 1 in Our Hearts, No. 50 in Everything Else

And, my personal favorite:

Arizona: No Tax Credit Left Behind.

Got ideas?

Send them my way (laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com) and I’ll publish the best of ‘em.

MONTINI: Five surefire good-to-go mottos for Arizona