Gov. Jan Brewer is treading carefully and offering a multiyear budget that plans that includes hundreds of millions in one-time expenditures, but gives the state a financial cushion for the coming fiscal cliff in 2014.

The Governor’s Office today unveiled budget plan for fiscal year 2013 and the remainder of 2012 that is projected to leave the state in the black by about $329 million when the Proposition 100 sales tax increase expires and federal health care mandates are expected to take a major toll on the state budget in fiscal year 2014.

Gov. Jan Brewer on Friday releases her new budget proposal, one expected to largely hold the line on most state spending after several years of cuts.

Gov. Jan Brewer today laid out her spending plan, but before she can hammer out a deal with lawmakers, the two sides will have to reconcile their revenue projections for the next few years.

Right now, their only clear agreement is that, barring another economic downturn and events beyond the state’s control, revenues will climb steadily, albeit slowly.

Expect more of the same substance from the Arizona Legislature during lawmakers' regular session this year — but maybe not as much sound and fury.

State revenues grew modestly in November even as signs of economic strains persist.

A Heber Republican’s crusade to base K-12 finance on student achievement includes a proposal to get rid of the laws that govern public education.

Now that Arizona’s fiscal picture is rosier, with projected surpluses instead of staggering deficits, lawmakers are looking at undoing one of the state’s more embarrassing budget gimmicks.

Advocates for state services and programs shouldn't hold out hope that Arizona's improving fiscal situation means cuts made to keep the state budget in the black will be reversed any time soon, an official said Friday.

Major economic indicators in Arizona point to a steady recovery, although some bumps remain. Revenues in August grew by 8.6 percent, buoyed by strong showings in sales and individual income taxes.

Americans are right to be skeptical of constitutional amendments. When politicians ask us to amend the U.S. Constitution, they are asking us to trust their judgment over the Founding Fathers. That should not be done lightly.