Under the terms of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the state is slated to receive nearly $900 million in stimulus funds for K-12 and higher education, and more than $700 million for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. But state officials are awaiting word from the federal government on whether those funding sources would be threatened by provisions in the legislative budget plan.
Brewer on June 5 said she has not read the bills, but it is her understanding that provisions dealing with university funding could jeopardize the education stimulus money. "I haven't seen the bill, but we have seen that situation. We have also seen a similar situation in regard to the federal stimulus dollars for AHCCCS. So there's a lot of issues there that aren't workable. They're not possible to do," she said.
The governor has not signed the budget bills, and legislative leaders have not yet sent them to her desk.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Brewer: GOP Budget Jeopardizes $2 Billion Stimulus Funding
The ABC's of Advocacy
The Arizona Budget Coalition is an alliance of teachers, public service employees, parents and community members that has come up with its own menu of options for solving the budget crisis. Members of this coalition include the Arizona School Boards Association and the Arizona Education Association.
They have been holding advocacy training sessions across the state in the hopes of demystifying the legislative process and encouraging citizens to contact their legislator and ask them to support public schools.
Tri-Valley Central recently covered some of their efforts:
AEA vice-president Andrew Morrill encouraged citizens to initiate a relationship with their legislator "So when they are down there hashing out the budget, they are not just numbers. They can connect those numbers to programs that they know are happening in their schools and their districts in the communities they represent."
He also urged participants to take their case to the legislature, but to do so in a coordinated effort.
They have been holding advocacy training sessions across the state in the hopes of demystifying the legislative process and encouraging citizens to contact their legislator and ask them to support public schools.Tri-Valley Central recently covered some of their efforts:
"We've seen a lot of parent groups coming out in full force, talking about their concerns for their students and the future of their schools and their communities," said ASBA lobbyist Beth Sauer.
"If you can establish a relationship with your legislator," Sauer said, "if they know who you are, if you are someone that they can call if they have a question about something or they want information about your school district, that's a really great way to set yourself up as a tool and a resource for this person."
AEA vice-president Andrew Morrill encouraged citizens to initiate a relationship with their legislator "So when they are down there hashing out the budget, they are not just numbers. They can connect those numbers to programs that they know are happening in their schools and their districts in the communities they represent."
He also urged participants to take their case to the legislature, but to do so in a coordinated effort.
"Nobody is asking you to go meet with a legislator alone," Morrill added. "If you are going for the first time, go together, so they can't peel you off. If parents go alone, legislators will blame administration and teachers. If teachers go alone, they blame administrators and parents. If administrators go alone, they blame the other missing folks. Go together."Are you willing to send a message to a legislator about public schools? March4Schools.org is a great place to start.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Low Taxes: Helping or Hurting?
From the AZ Repubic:
Arizona's highest tax rate or personal income is 4.54%. An Arizonan must make $150,000 (if married it is $300,000) to reach that rate.
Looking at our current budget situation, is having the lowest tax rate (outside of 0%) helping us or hurting us?
"Our [personal] income tax is the lowest in the nation, except for those states that don't tax income," said Dennis Hoffman, an economics professor at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.
Arizona's highest tax rate or personal income is 4.54%. An Arizonan must make $150,000 (if married it is $300,000) to reach that rate.
Looking at our current budget situation, is having the lowest tax rate (outside of 0%) helping us or hurting us?
EV Cities Hike Fees to Counter Budget Woes
This is what the mayor of Clarkdale (below) was talking about.
Clarkdale Mayor Blasts Legislature
Mayor Von Gausig does not like what the state legislature is doing to his town, or yours:At 4 o'clock in the morning on June 4th, with only one political party represented, the Arizona State Senate launched an attack on the cities and towns of the Verde Valley.
He charges that the legislature is looking out for special interests (namely, valley home builders) at the expense of municipal governments. In the budget proposal passed under the cover of darkness impact fees of $10,000 per new home will be transferred to the towns-- who will then need to raise local taxes to cover the costs. The legislature hopes you will not connect the dots and see that they are the source of this tax increase.
Even without the tax increase, towns and cities are finding it difficult to provide the level of basic services (read: sewage, police, fire) we assume will always be there. He sees the situation in your community worsening if the legislature's budget is signed by the governor.
I understand the difficulty the legislature has before it, and I get the gravity of the situation.
But I also know that the cities, towns and counties of Arizona are in similar dire straits. Any reduction of revenues to our municipalities will result in detrimental and sometimes unsafe cutbacks and elimination of critical services. Water, wastewater, police and fire protection are all essential services that are provided by our cities and towns, not by any state agency. The State of Arizona dictates that local governments must provide these vital services to the public, but they want to limit our ability to pay for it.
The Legislature seems to believe your city is just another expense to be cut without considering the value of the services they provide to citizens. The latest budget proposal includes "fixes" like forcing your town to give money to school systems, moratoriums on development impact fees, and "reforms" of our construction sales taxes that cripple our ability to serve you. Many of these appear to be downright illegal, but the Legislature has said they'll let the courts figure that out - and you'll pay for the lawyers.
More expensive lawsuits. Just what the state needs.
Is responsibility not a value at the capitol?
Saturday, June 6, 2009
How far from this are we?
Remember this line: "...endless ballot measures in place of governing..."
Arizona has been moving in that direction for years. Instead of working out their differences and compromising on laws that would benefit all Arizonans the legislature allows for highly partisan state questions to be placed on the general election ballots. That was not the intent of the referendum and initiative processes. They were written into the AZ Constitution to place a check on the governor and legislature-- not to protect the governor or legislature from taking a stand on an issue or to drive voter turnout on election day.
Remember this line: "...endless ballot measures in place of governing..."
Arizona has been moving in that direction for years. Instead of working out their differences and compromising on laws that would benefit all Arizonans the legislature allows for highly partisan state questions to be placed on the general election ballots. That was not the intent of the referendum and initiative processes. They were written into the AZ Constitution to place a check on the governor and legislature-- not to protect the governor or legislature from taking a stand on an issue or to drive voter turnout on election day.
Friday, June 5, 2009
A Republican Perspective:
I was at the capital on Tuesday and watched the floor proceedings Wednesday night and Thursday. Almost every Republican legislator I talked to on Tuesday agreed this was a bad budget, yet only one Vic Williams from LD26 (northwest Tucson) voted against it. I would encourage every one to send him a thank you message. I did not talk with the other two Republicans (Konopnicki LD5 and Qulland LD10) who voted “No”.
For a fleeting moment during the House vote, I had a glimmer of hope. The voting stalled at 30, one short of the 31 needed. Could reason have prevailed? Were there enough traditional Republicans willing to stand up to the leadership and end the insanity? I quickly scanned the vote reporting board, trying to identify the Republicans who had not cast their vote. It could happen; all five left had previously expressed opposition in one form or another. It was possible. As Rep. Lucy Mason rose to explain her vote I hung on every word. As she decried the process and articulated her concerns, I began to think we had prevailed. The vice-like grip Leadership had on the legislature was about to crack. And then she said, “I will be the 31st vote” and voted “aye”.
As a republican myself, I cannot understand why the leaders of my party are intent on pushing public education over the cliff. Although I often do not agree, I understand the philosophical ideas behind many of the policies they champion. I would gladly engage in a debate about the future of education. Some of their ideas might even be worth a try. But what they are doing now, defies reason. It is intellectually dishonest and in some cases down right hypocritical.
The examples of hypocrisy are numerous; I will only site one. Inserted into the K-12 education bill (HB2639) at the last minute was a provision stating, “a school district shall not adopt policies that provide employment retention priority for teachers based on tenure or seniority.” While he was answering a question on what would happen to all the corrections officers when Arizona’s prisons were privatized, Appropriations’ Chairman Kavanagh (a former NY cop) said he was sure a transfer system based on seniority could be worked out. The concept of seniority is equitable for constituencies he cares about, but not for teachers.
I am the chair of the AEA Republican Caucus. On Tuesday I was joined by the other officers of the Caucus in participating in the March4Schools Heat Wave. I couldn’t help but think, if we had gotten to two more Representatives, could we have stopped this. We need your help. If you are one of the more than 8,000 Republican AEA members, your voice is desperately needed at the capital. Please contact me for information about how to get involved. Chrisackerley@cox.net
For a fleeting moment during the House vote, I had a glimmer of hope. The voting stalled at 30, one short of the 31 needed. Could reason have prevailed? Were there enough traditional Republicans willing to stand up to the leadership and end the insanity? I quickly scanned the vote reporting board, trying to identify the Republicans who had not cast their vote. It could happen; all five left had previously expressed opposition in one form or another. It was possible. As Rep. Lucy Mason rose to explain her vote I hung on every word. As she decried the process and articulated her concerns, I began to think we had prevailed. The vice-like grip Leadership had on the legislature was about to crack. And then she said, “I will be the 31st vote” and voted “aye”.
As a republican myself, I cannot understand why the leaders of my party are intent on pushing public education over the cliff. Although I often do not agree, I understand the philosophical ideas behind many of the policies they champion. I would gladly engage in a debate about the future of education. Some of their ideas might even be worth a try. But what they are doing now, defies reason. It is intellectually dishonest and in some cases down right hypocritical.
The examples of hypocrisy are numerous; I will only site one. Inserted into the K-12 education bill (HB2639) at the last minute was a provision stating, “a school district shall not adopt policies that provide employment retention priority for teachers based on tenure or seniority.” While he was answering a question on what would happen to all the corrections officers when Arizona’s prisons were privatized, Appropriations’ Chairman Kavanagh (a former NY cop) said he was sure a transfer system based on seniority could be worked out. The concept of seniority is equitable for constituencies he cares about, but not for teachers.
I am the chair of the AEA Republican Caucus. On Tuesday I was joined by the other officers of the Caucus in participating in the March4Schools Heat Wave. I couldn’t help but think, if we had gotten to two more Representatives, could we have stopped this. We need your help. If you are one of the more than 8,000 Republican AEA members, your voice is desperately needed at the capital. Please contact me for information about how to get involved. Chrisackerley@cox.net
Huppenthal - Update
I purchased a subscription to the Arizona Guardian to find out the rest of the story.
It seems state senator Huppenthal is circulating petitions for people to support his campaign for Superintendent of Public Instruction while still in office. This appears to be in violation of Arizona's somewhat clearly named "resign to run law."
I am no law professor, but the intent of this constitutional provision is to prevent current elected officials from campaigning before January of the last year they are in office. You may remember the dust-up when Tim Bee was planning on running against Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in 2008. His "planning" included stockpiling a huge campaign war chest. Some felt this violated the law as well.
It seems state senator Huppenthal is circulating petitions for people to support his campaign for Superintendent of Public Instruction while still in office. This appears to be in violation of Arizona's somewhat clearly named "resign to run law."
I am no law professor, but the intent of this constitutional provision is to prevent current elected officials from campaigning before January of the last year they are in office. You may remember the dust-up when Tim Bee was planning on running against Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in 2008. His "planning" included stockpiling a huge campaign war chest. Some felt this violated the law as well.
The Arizona Constitution states that “except during the final year of the term being served, no incumbent of a salaried elective office, whether holding by election or appointment, may offer himself for nomination or election to any salaried local, state or federal office.”
State statute further explains this and states that a sitting elected official shall be “deemed to have offered himself for nomination or election” upon the filing of nomination papers or a formal declaration of candidacy.
Huppenthal is arguing the statutes require filing of nomination papers-- which he will undoubtedly do after January 1, 2010-- is what makes you a candidate and not raising money, circulating petitions, or even receiving endorsements (below).
That last one refers to Sheriff Joe Arpaio's endorsement. I wonder why they didn't put Joe's mug on the banner.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
House Passes Senate's Bad Budget
The following is from an email I received earlier tonight.
Promises made....
This evening the House adjourned at 7:50PM having passed the identical budget that the Senate approved at 4AM. The budget bills all passed with only Republican votes. Three Republicans voted against this budget--Bill Konopnicki (LD5), Doug Quelland (LD10) and Vic Williams (LD26). The Democrats also opposed all the budget bills.
The telling comment of the evening came from former House Speaker Jim Weiers. He rose to explain his vote on the first general appropriation bill and said something along the lines of "Mr. Speaker, you gave me your word that you would not transfer these budget bills to the Governor and would allow the negotiations to continue between her and the legislature. Knowing that you agreed to not force her to veto these bills, I will vote 'aye' tonight."
Promises made....
Huppenthal Violates Law?
The Arizona Guardian is reporting that Ahwatukee senator John Huppenthal (right) has not been playing by the rules in his bid for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Looks like I am buying a newspaper tomorrow. The Guardian does not provide free access to their online news stories.
Sen. John Huppenthal has been collecting signatures for a campaign for Superintendent of Public Instruction in violation of state election law.
Looks like I am buying a newspaper tomorrow. The Guardian does not provide free access to their online news stories.
Stealth Budget
The Arizona Guardian (good-looking newspaper, $30 per month subscription!) is reporting that the senate passed a budget in the wee hours of the night.
The Arizona Republic also has a fairly detailed story up on their site as well. It is a must read, if you can stomach it. Here are some snipits.
They did not begin discussion on the budget before midnight, as they scurried around in the dark attempting to "get the language right" and twist as many arms as possible for support.
Why the rush? Why did it have to happen this way? You need 16 votes to pass a budget (or any bill) in the senate. Today, one of those sixteen votes is leaving for a vacation. Another one of those votes tried to sneak out through a back door last night but was caught and finally pressured into supporting the budget.
It's all a game, you see. They needed to pass something so the governor can veto it, and then they can "come together" and work out a compromise deal. If they just compromised without all the posturing and positioning it would hurt their re-election chances.
It's more like some strange kabuki theater than state government.
Despite the threat of a veto from Gov. Jan Brewer, Senate Republicans labored through the night to pass an $8.2 billion budget they expect will have to be revised later this month and later this year.
The Arizona Republic also has a fairly detailed story up on their site as well. It is a must read, if you can stomach it. Here are some snipits.
Sen. John Nelson, R-Litchfield Park, was a late-night holdout, snagged by Senate leaders as he was trying to leave via a back staircase. After about an hour of closed-door meetings with Burns, as well as Adams, Nelson threw his support behind a budget that, he said, resulted from a deeply flawed process.
He said he was troubled by the speed with which changes to the spending plan were made, often without any notice to lawmakers, and certainly without a chance to review the bills, which collectively run for dozens of pages of technical language.
"We're going from here to the floor without any time for people to read the bills and understand what's in there," said Nelson.
[...]
The budget cuts $220 million from K-12 education, reserving the largest dollar cut for the state's largest spending item.
[...]
However, the budget bills do make dozens of policy changes, ranging from a moratorium on city development fees to ending a nine-month-old policy that extended state benefits to the domestic partners of state employees. That policy was enacted by former Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat, by executive order.
They did not begin discussion on the budget before midnight, as they scurried around in the dark attempting to "get the language right" and twist as many arms as possible for support.
Why the rush? Why did it have to happen this way? You need 16 votes to pass a budget (or any bill) in the senate. Today, one of those sixteen votes is leaving for a vacation. Another one of those votes tried to sneak out through a back door last night but was caught and finally pressured into supporting the budget.
It's all a game, you see. They needed to pass something so the governor can veto it, and then they can "come together" and work out a compromise deal. If they just compromised without all the posturing and positioning it would hurt their re-election chances.It's more like some strange kabuki theater than state government.
Is that why you elected them?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tax Cowards
KJZZ devoted an hour to discussing education (de)-funding in the upcoming budget. Many experts gave their perspective, including House Education Committee Chair Rich Crandall (R-Mesa) who is ready to disappoint schools yet again.
Crandall's solution to the budget crisis? Keep state taxes low by passing the tax burden down to the local school governing boards. So, Crandall and other legislators can say "We didn't pass a tax increase" while forcing the schools to go to the voters to ask for more money.
The inherent problem with this plan is inequity. Voters in some districts will give the schools more money, while schools in other districts will lose.
The whole reason we fund education at the state level is to provide an equitable system. I would think someone like Rich Crandall, who is interested in being Superintendent of Public Instruction, would know that.
Someone needs to find a backbone.
Crandall's solution to the budget crisis? Keep state taxes low by passing the tax burden down to the local school governing boards. So, Crandall and other legislators can say "We didn't pass a tax increase" while forcing the schools to go to the voters to ask for more money.The inherent problem with this plan is inequity. Voters in some districts will give the schools more money, while schools in other districts will lose.
The whole reason we fund education at the state level is to provide an equitable system. I would think someone like Rich Crandall, who is interested in being Superintendent of Public Instruction, would know that.
Someone needs to find a backbone.
So You Think You Can Budget?
Forget about Cat and Nigel and the "So You Think You Can Dance?" crowd-- tonight you need to watch Bob Burns, Russell Pearce, Ron Gould (pictured right) and others bust out their sick moves on a state budget.Watch as deals are made, arms are twisted.
Count the rhetorical phrases tossed about. (My prediction is 3 per minute)
Watch as Democratic senators propose budget amendments which will summarily be voted down... again and again and again.
Glory in the most undemocratic process known to man-- a late night session at the Arizona Legislature!
If you miss it, you can watch the same exciting "moves" over at the House on Thursday!
Spoiler Alert - Finally, you can watch next week as the governor vetoes whatever is sent to her so they can all then sit down and begin real budget negotiations!
It's hard to believe people think government is wasteful.
Heatwave- A Teacher's Eyewitness!
What a great day I had (with one exception!).
Today was the first of 5 AEA Heatwave Days! It was so incredible to walk into the DES Cafeteria and see at least 80 people there, giving up a day of their summer to show their commitment to public education. Doug and Jennifer were great and the AEA staff had tons of literature to fill us in on the issues.8 of us from my district, Kyrene, were there. We had a meeting with Rae Waters from District 20 at 11:30 and she was helpful. She filled us in on the "goings-on" of the Capitol and gave us some great tips.
KEA PAC had catered a lunch so we also attracted a few other Representatives including Education Supporters David Lujan and Eric Meyer. It was great to see friendly faces in our meeting!We did have one other attendee- John McComisch from District 20. John has not been a supporter of AEA or Education, or kids for that matter, in the last few years. He and I have gone a few rounds, but we promised (via email- I have proof! :) ) to be nice. When he arrived I introduced him around the table, including to my husband, Richard (who was wonderful enough to come and take pictures all day!). My husband, believe it or not, is registered Republican. (I know, gasp!) Sometimes our Republican leaders like to hear that AEA friends and members are of their party, it helps...so, as I introduced Richard to McComisch I said something like, "This is my husband, Richard. He's a republican and he's married to me!!". And here's the exception to my great day...McComisch said, and I quote, "Well, we all have our cross to bear". As in being married to me was Richard's cross! Yes, he really did say that, and yes, he said it in front of my members and Rae Waters. (As he left the room, after fighting with Rae!, my members said things like- That is the ultimate insult! I can't believe he said that!, etc.) I still have our truce in writing, John. Don't think I'll forget this. Is this who is leading our state!!??
Anyway, after lunch, we all met in the House Gallery and many of us were introduced. It was great to see some of the legislators turn their heads at the number of teachers, ESPs and AEA members upstairs. I think we were really recognized!
I know for many, this seems like a daunting task, meeting with Representatives and Senators, many of whom seem against us. But it is crucial we go down there! It is crucial that they see our faces, hear our voices... They need to know that just because we are on "vacation" (do you really count district classes, educational credits, and deep cleaning our houses once a year vacation?), we are not gone. And we are not going away. Because the minute we go away, so does our education funding! The minute they don't see our faces or hear our voices is the minute that cuts are made, agenda items snuck through and anti-education bills are passed! AEA is NOT the enemy! Teachers are NOT bad people! Let's go down and remind them of this!
One of the best things I heard today was something that Rep. Lujan told us over sandwiches. He said that all the negative things the majority legislature is throwing our way (taking away our constitutional rights, not letting us payroll dues, cutting our education budget) were coming to us because they, downtown, are scared. They are nervous and they are hearing us. We ARE being heard! So my friends, keep fighting the good fight. Keep calling, emailing, writing, talking, telling...they are hearing us. And one day soon, they will listen!
Erin Kirchoff
Today was the first of 5 AEA Heatwave Days! It was so incredible to walk into the DES Cafeteria and see at least 80 people there, giving up a day of their summer to show their commitment to public education. Doug and Jennifer were great and the AEA staff had tons of literature to fill us in on the issues.8 of us from my district, Kyrene, were there. We had a meeting with Rae Waters from District 20 at 11:30 and she was helpful. She filled us in on the "goings-on" of the Capitol and gave us some great tips.
KEA PAC had catered a lunch so we also attracted a few other Representatives including Education Supporters David Lujan and Eric Meyer. It was great to see friendly faces in our meeting!We did have one other attendee- John McComisch from District 20. John has not been a supporter of AEA or Education, or kids for that matter, in the last few years. He and I have gone a few rounds, but we promised (via email- I have proof! :) ) to be nice. When he arrived I introduced him around the table, including to my husband, Richard (who was wonderful enough to come and take pictures all day!). My husband, believe it or not, is registered Republican. (I know, gasp!) Sometimes our Republican leaders like to hear that AEA friends and members are of their party, it helps...so, as I introduced Richard to McComisch I said something like, "This is my husband, Richard. He's a republican and he's married to me!!". And here's the exception to my great day...McComisch said, and I quote, "Well, we all have our cross to bear". As in being married to me was Richard's cross! Yes, he really did say that, and yes, he said it in front of my members and Rae Waters. (As he left the room, after fighting with Rae!, my members said things like- That is the ultimate insult! I can't believe he said that!, etc.) I still have our truce in writing, John. Don't think I'll forget this. Is this who is leading our state!!??
Anyway, after lunch, we all met in the House Gallery and many of us were introduced. It was great to see some of the legislators turn their heads at the number of teachers, ESPs and AEA members upstairs. I think we were really recognized!
I know for many, this seems like a daunting task, meeting with Representatives and Senators, many of whom seem against us. But it is crucial we go down there! It is crucial that they see our faces, hear our voices... They need to know that just because we are on "vacation" (do you really count district classes, educational credits, and deep cleaning our houses once a year vacation?), we are not gone. And we are not going away. Because the minute we go away, so does our education funding! The minute they don't see our faces or hear our voices is the minute that cuts are made, agenda items snuck through and anti-education bills are passed! AEA is NOT the enemy! Teachers are NOT bad people! Let's go down and remind them of this!
One of the best things I heard today was something that Rep. Lujan told us over sandwiches. He said that all the negative things the majority legislature is throwing our way (taking away our constitutional rights, not letting us payroll dues, cutting our education budget) were coming to us because they, downtown, are scared. They are nervous and they are hearing us. We ARE being heard! So my friends, keep fighting the good fight. Keep calling, emailing, writing, talking, telling...they are hearing us. And one day soon, they will listen!
Erin Kirchoff
Senate Rushing Budget Tonight
I just attended today's senate floor meeting where both parties announced evening caucuses (where the political parties meet separately to work up support/opposition for bills). The Republicans are caucusing at 5:00pm. The Democrats are caucusing at 8:00.
Funny fact-- the caucus rooms are the only large meeting rooms in the senate which lack the cameras to broadcast the meetings onto the web. Hmm.
A senator told me that they (the senate) would pass a budget out tonight and that the House would pass one tomorrow. They would then send it to the governor Friday.
I also just overheard a longtime Republican senator telling his cell phone (or someone on the other end of it) that he was voting against the budget. "This budget's going to be vetoed, anyway."
So, they are working late into the evening, if not the night, while everyone will be at home watching TV. They are doing the arm twisting caucus meetings in rooms where no one can watch them unless they are down here at the capitol.
All of that just so the governor can veto it.
Let the games begin.
Funny fact-- the caucus rooms are the only large meeting rooms in the senate which lack the cameras to broadcast the meetings onto the web. Hmm.
A senator told me that they (the senate) would pass a budget out tonight and that the House would pass one tomorrow. They would then send it to the governor Friday.
I also just overheard a longtime Republican senator telling his cell phone (or someone on the other end of it) that he was voting against the budget. "This budget's going to be vetoed, anyway."
So, they are working late into the evening, if not the night, while everyone will be at home watching TV. They are doing the arm twisting caucus meetings in rooms where no one can watch them unless they are down here at the capitol.
All of that just so the governor can veto it.
Let the games begin.
When is $1 Billion not $1 Billion?
Since February I've heard people predicting that a .01 cent sales tax increase would net $1 billion in revenue. Let's set aside the regressive nature of such a tax increase for the moment. 
Since that time every other revenue prediction has gone down. For example, we once worried about a $3.0 billion budget deficit, then $3.3 billion, now $3.9 billion.
Since that time every other revenue prediction has gone down. For example, we once worried about a $3.0 billion budget deficit, then $3.3 billion, now $3.9 billion.Why does anyone-- much less Governor Brewer-- think that .01 cent sales tax increase would still net $1 billion?
Leave the Teachers Alone
The Camp Verde Bugle sounds off on dangerous cuts to public education.
As is always the case, education is the trump card in the poker game that is the Arizona state budget process.The latest shuffle of the cards has Gov. Janet Brewer issuing this ultimatum: We either increase taxes or we further cannibalize the state's K-12 education system.
[...]
Leave the teachers and classrooms alone.
Budget Rumblings
Many rumors surfacing that a budget may be steamrolled through the legislature and sent to the governor this week. It's only political posturing, but is it healthy for the process?
House Minority Whip Chad Campbell (D-Phoenix) explains how unusual this year's budget process has been.
Should the budget be a game of chicken?
House Minority Whip Chad Campbell (D-Phoenix) explains how unusual this year's budget process has been.
Should the budget be a game of chicken?
Just the Facts
This might help explain why the budget situation in Arizona is truly a crisis. We already spend near the bottom on universities and (especially) K-12 education. Further cuts would cheat students out of what they deserve: a quality education. We should be looking for new ways to invest in and improve our education system, not using fear as an excuse to slash and burn it.
Visit Speak Up Now Arizona
Visit Speak Up Now Arizona
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