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Lawmakers consider seeking exemption from stimulus requirements
Standing between lawmakers and millions of dollars in budget cuts to education are three letters - M-O-E. Since Arizona started drawing federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, some lawmakers have decried the maintenance-of-effort, or MOE, requirements for portions of the money.
GOP pushing for 1-day special session
Barring any surprises, Gov. Jan Brewer is expected to call the Legislature into special session in the next few days. But her 1-cent sales tax hike won't be on the table - at least not this time. Still up in the air is the possibility of doing a second special session, possibly in December, for another round of cuts and potentially approving revenue generating options.
Capitol Quotes 11/6
"Their majorities haven't helped them." - Rep. David Schapira, a Democrat from Tempe, speaking Nov. 4 about the need for Republican leaders to negotiate a budget fix with Democrats.
Special session No. 4 will target schools, DES funding
Republican legislative leaders have reached a deal with Gov. Jan Brewer to erase a portion of the estimated $2 billion budget deficit in a special session later this month, including about $300 million in spending cuts. The plan, if carried out, would eliminate a fraction of the overall deficit, and a $1.4 billion shortfall would remain.
Budget fix pitched to GOP lawmakers
The budget fix being shopped to Republican lawmakers would erase a little more than a quarter of the estimated $2 billion deficit and include about $300 million in permanent spending cuts. House Majority Whip Andy Tobin said the deal Republican leaders have reached with Republican Gov. Jan Brewer would include $140 million in cuts to K-12 education and $140 million in cuts to ADES.
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.
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.
Wanted: new revenue
Lawmakers will be facing quite the conundrum in 2010 - how to raise more revenue for the cash-strapped state without raising taxes. The Republican-led Legislature stymied attempts by Gov. Jan Brewer to put a sales tax increase on the ballot, and outright rejected the idea of passing a tax increase itself.
UpClose with Rep. Andy Tobin
Capitol veterans have taken notice of Andy Tobin. He's in his first year as majority whip in the House of Representatives, but ask many of the lobbyists and others with a long tenure at the Capitol and they'll tell you he's handled what can be a difficult position with aplomb. Basically, his job is to ensure there is enough support for bills before they come to the floor and that lawmakers are pre[...]
Repeal of foreclosure bill included in budget
The budget package passed by the House includes the repeal of a bill that was originally intended to help lenders recoup losses from foreclosed homes.
‘Racino’ campaign – Betting on the come?
A large PR/advertising push to get the Legislature to permit slots and gambling tables at the state's six horse and dog tracks (YS first to report) began Monday (July 20) at the Capitol, where Rep. Andy Tobin found a small plastic "budget jockey" on his windshield, with a tag reading "Everyone's sacrificing except tribal casinos" and "The budget jockey is here to help."
Arizona Chamber chairman passes gavel
During its 2009 Meeting & Awards, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Dick Hannon of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona "passed the gavel" to Chairman-Elect Don Robinson of APS. The organization's annual event also featured awards and introduced a slew of new leaders.
