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Getting state there from here: Arizonans agree on one solution
Reliable, reasonably priced transportation options are vital, especially in a state where the car is king, public transportation is severely limited, fuel prices are in continual flux, the number of elderly residents is rising rapidly and commodities must be imported by truck, train, pipeline or plane.
School districts betting heavily on upcoming overrides
For many Arizona school districts, a lot is riding on upcoming November budget override elections. Schools already have been hit by state budget reductions, and many districts will have to cut programs and staff even further unless they receive a funding boost from override elections.
Gambling pitched as Arizona’s budget salvation
The struggling Arizona racing industry is hoping it can sell lawmakers on a proposal to help racetracks stay open and give the state hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue. But the idea faces resistance on several fronts, as it would expand gambling by allowing "racinos" and by lifting limits on tribal casinos.
Budget deficit now estimated at $2 billion
Legislative budget analysts said tax collections in the first quarter of the fiscal year have been so sluggish that they have revised revenue projections downward. Now, the deficit for fiscal 2010 is $2 billion. In order for the state to collect the $7.1 billion it anticipated this year, revenues would have to grow by nearly 1 percent from the prior year. However, collections are down 16 percen[...]
Lawmakers inch toward special session
Lawmakers are inching closer to a special session as Senate leadership proposes that the Legislature convene to fix the budget woes of state agencies affected by the governor's veto. House leadership was polling members to see if they support the idea, Senate President Bob Burns told the Arizona Capitol Times on October 22.
Report ranks Arizona ninth nationally in state, local reliance on sales taxes
Arizona ranks ninth nationally in its reliance on sales taxes to fund its state and local governments, according to a report by a nonpartisan tax research organization. The Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation found that 48.4 percent of Arizona's tax base came from general sales taxes and from selective sales taxes on motor fuel, tobacco, insurance premiums, public utilities, amusements and al[...]
The politics of tweets: Arizona leaders, candidates embrace social media
John Paul Mitchell spends two to three hours a day on social media sites, sharing links to articles he finds interesting and regularly engaging people in bursts of 140 characters or less. But the time he spends on his Twitter account, Facebook page and other sites is more than just leisure. Mitchell hopes it will help deliver him the Arizona governorship in 2010.
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.
Brewer: mistakes were made
Gov. Jan Brewer has acknowledged that she made mistakes as she pursued a budget deal with the Legislature, although she didn’t elaborate on exactly what they were “Obviously I did... […]
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.
