CAPITOL QUOTES
“Being in the Legislature, at times, is like playing ‘telephone.’” — Rep. Bob Robson, R-20, talking about the rumors lawmakers hear and likening them to the children’s game that demonstrates how stories change when told repeatedly.
“Bad budgeting constitutes an emergency in her book.” — Rep. Russell Pearce, R-18, on Gov. Janet
Napolitano’s desire to use money from the rainy day fund to balance the budget. He advocates less spending by state agencies.
“Our appropriations chairman doesn’t have a clue.” — House Minority Whip Steve Gallardo, D-13, responding to Pearce.
“We are concerned that Governor Napolitano’s proposed response to the budget shortfall could put the state’s finances in a precarious and unsustainable position.” — Senators Bob Burns, R-9 and Thayer Verschoor, R-22

“A slowdown in revenues does not constitute an emergency.” — Steve Voeller, president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, on reports of reduced tax revenues.
“I saw him at the mall and he didn’t say anything — obviously off his game otherwise he’d have asked for a check.” — Local lobbyist, on running into a former legislator that recently declared his intention to campaign in 2008.
“I’ll probably have a bill next year to have Mexico pay for the largest school district in Arizona that they have.” — JLBC Chairman Russell Pearce, R-18, said when a Yuma lawmaker criticized a lack of funding that would hurt schools in her area that have mostly Hispanic students.