Motivated by the defeat of Proposition 204, a group of mayors wants to promote discussion about school funding and reforms.

Total state revenues grew by a modest 2.6 percent in October when compared to the year before, but just as economists have cautioned, the road to full recovery is a long, steep climb.

After sliding slightly in August, state revenues picked up in September, the Legislature’s budget research arm reported this month.

State revenue collections are slightly off in August, the state’s budget analysts reported today.

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee said revenues dropped by $3.3 million compared to the same time last year.

It’s only the second time since July last year that monthly revenues have declined.

Arizona is poised to shed nearly 10,000 jobs next year if a planned two-percent cut to Medicare isn’t averted, a study by a Pennsylvania-based consulting group said.

Arizona received another boost in state revenues in July, budget analysts reported today.



In its monthly report, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee said the state collected $749 million in July, a 6.1 percent growth compared to last year.

Arizona’s post-recession budget situation continues to improve as the state begins a new fiscal year in better shape than had been expected.

The legislative budget staff says tax revenue was $145 million more than anticipated during the fiscal year that ended June 30.

After successive months of growth, state revenues fell in May, when collections fell $9.2 million below the budget forecast. But the culprit doesn’t appear to be a slowing in the economy.

Arizona school districts are getting a boost to meet a third-grade reading mandate in the form of $40 million.

The Arizona Republic reported Sunday schools statewide will receive money to assist in reaching a goal that all third-graders must have proficient reading skills.

The state won’t immediately implement a budget provision to spend $50 million from Arizona’s share of a foreclosure settlement while the provision is being challenged in court.

The provision requires the money be transferred to the state general fund to help balance the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.