Sign In
Free Newsletter
DES would drop to ’04 funding levels if faced with 15% cut
A 15 percent cut at the Department of Economic Security would take a heavy toll on the vulnerable populations Gov. Jan Brewer has spoken so often of protecting. According to a report by the Department of Economic Security, a 15 percent reduction in the agency's budget would drop it down to 2004 funding levels.
Governor’s Office proposes cuts – vaguely
What would the Governor’s Office do to reduce its budget by 15 percent? Just that – reduce it by 15 percent. Anyone seeking more details, however, is bound to be... […]
Education funding battle heats up
Lawmakers and representatives from the education community clashed over funding for Arizona's public education during a forum Oct. 20 at a downtown restaurant. Rep. Rich Crandall, a Mesa Republican, said he was taking the position as a "realist" and warned that cuts to education are inevitable next year given the size of the state's budget deficit.
Tyne out on Ninth Floor
Gov. Jan Brewer announced that Kevin Tyne, her embattled chief of staff, is leaving her administration and will be replaced by budget chief Eileen Klein. Tyne will stay on with the Governor's Office for the next few weeks to assist Klein with the transition, but Klein will take over as chief of staff immediately, according to Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman. Tyne will join the Republican Governo[...]
Health Dept. outlines cuts to non-mandated services
With much of its budget locked in by federal and state mandates, the Arizona Department of Health Services would have to reduce crisis services and cut back on treatment for the mentally ill, substance abusers and sexually violent offenders in the state hospital if it had to chop 15 percent from its budget.
Sen. Melvin focuses on nuclear power at panel hearing
As the energy debate heats up in the nation's capital, policymakers in Arizona have begun asking questions about the implications of cap-and-trade legislation and other climate initiatives for the state. For the second time in a month, legislators held a hearing on energy policy, specifically on what the state's energy future would look like. At least two more hearings are scheduled.
Disagreements to resurface: Topics include taxes, spending reductions
A special session - or two - is likely this fall as Gov. Jan Brewer continues to pressure lawmakers to reconvene and legislative leaders have started asking members when they would be available. But roadblocks remain.
Redistricting predictions: Rural areas might lose seats
The balance of power in Arizona government may shift a little further toward the Phoenix metro area when the state's legislative and congressional district boundaries are redrawn. As a result, rural areas might wind up with less representation than they have now. Determining with any precision where the district lines will be in 2012, when Arizona's Independent Redistricting Commission will [...]
DPS warns of massive service reductions if cuts go through
The Department of Public Safety warned that the agency could be reduced to 1997 staffing levels, officers could be forced into dangerous situations without backup and Arizonans could be forced to wait more than an hour for officers to respond to some emergency calls if it has to through with massive budget cuts.
DEQ says emissions testing might be delayed by further cuts
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has informed Gov. Jan Brewer that implementing a 15-percent reduction to the department will leave it in a poor position to protect the health of state residents and the environment.
Liquor Department to close Fridays if more cuts occur
The agency in charge of regulating Arizona's liquor industry has reported it will have to lay off investigators, sell vehicles to save some money and close the office on Fridays to accomplish a 15-percent reduction in its budget. On top of that, Department of Liquor Licenses and Control warned that it is already experiencing "critically low" staffing levels.
ICE: If Arpaio continues sweeps, it will be under state, not federal, law
Now that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's federal authority to arrest illegal immigrants during crime-suppression sweeps has ended, any future sweeps and immigration enforcement he engages in will be under the authority of state law, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
