Despite a flurry of related activities and fiscal information, the Legislature has not produced a proposal for the fiscal 2005 budget.

Members of the Arizona Education Association, Children’s Action Alliance and the Protecting Arizona’s Family Coalition protested closed-door budget meetings on April 27, and House Majority Leader Eddie Farnsworth promptly responded that the meetings are appropriate.

Legislative leaders contended they are “very close” on a budget agreement, but declined to provide any information on what is being proposed or when the spending package might be unveiled.

Senate President Ken Bennett, R-1, said April 29 that the Senate budget will be going to both caucuses May 3.

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) staff reported fiscal 2004 revenue collections for March were $71 million above forecast and $210.6 million above forecast for the first nine months of the fiscal year.

At her April 28 press briefing, Governor Napolitano chided the Legislature and said it was time to finish the work on the budget, but she said she was not ready to negotiate a budget until the House and Senate agree on a proposal.

Arguments About Process

“Legislators are at it again, doing the budget behind closed doors,” said John Wright, AEA vice president at the April 27 rally on the lawn next to the House.

“Last year, we fought them for five months, and we defeated them,” said Tim Schmaltz, Protecting Arizona’s Family Coalition coordinator. “They learned, and they have changed their tactics. They are trying to do it in secret.”

Following the House floor session on April 27, Mr. Farnsworth met briefly with reporters to respond.

“It is an appropriate process,” he said. “What I’m doing is meeting with my caucus. I’m not violating any rules.

“Nobody saw the governor’s budget while she and her staff were working on it,” said Mr. Farnsworth. “When we have something, it will go through the committee process.”

In the Senate, Sen. Pete Rios, D-23, explained the closed-door process by saying, “We’re at the point of crunching numbers on the differences between Republicans and Democrats. We want people to be upfront, to be clear, and that, unfortunately, has to take place behind closed doors.”

Meanwhile, JLBC reported that fiscal 2004 revenue collections through the end of March total $4.6 billion — 11.6 per cent above collections a year go.

“The two largest components of general fund revenue both grew strongly in March,” said JLBC. “Sales tax revenue increased by 10.8 per cent and withholding tax collections increased by 9.9 per cent.” —