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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.
Registrar of Contractors among agencies looking for budget fix
When the Legislature meets in a special session later this month, one of the agencies whose budget problems they will attempt to fix is the Registrar of Contractors. Tyler Palmer, legislative liaison for the Registrar of Contractors, said the agency lost about $390,000 in funding for operating costs when Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a budget bill in September.
Some agencies avoid submitting reduction reports
When drafting reports to show the impact of 15 percent cuts to their budgets, some state agencies described how their services would be gutted. Some simply explained why such cuts aren't feasible. And others, such as the Governor's Office, which ordered the reports, don't seem to know where to even make the cuts.
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.
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.
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.
Programs for homeless, mentally ill would be axed
Cutting its budget by 15 percent would mean significant cuts in contributions to housing programs for the mentally ill and completely eliminating a homeless-prevention program, according to the Arizona Department of Housing.
AHCCCS reports it might have to eliminate KidsCare
Lawmakers this year eliminated a health care program for middle-class parents, but now the state-run health insurance program for children is on the chopping block. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System has reported it would have to eliminate the KidsCare program if it is required to trim 15 percent of its budget in the 2010 fiscal year.
Farmers, ranchers fear budget cuts to Agriculture Dept.
As Arizona continues to grapple with declining government revenue, the state's farming and ranching communities are warning that the Arizona Department of Agriculture has stretched its dollars to the limit. And the situation could grow worse, as Gov. Jan Brewer in September ordered state agencies to draft plans that predict the immediate effects on departments if their budgets are cut another 1[...]
Harper amendment means more layoffs by Feb. 1
Some state employees might have to look for new jobs before Feb. 1, when a budget amendment requiring a 5 percent reduction in state employees must be carried out.
