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Flake is right: Time to drain the research swamp
Arizona Senator Jeff Flake’s annual Wastebook would be hilarious if it weren’t chronicling such a heartbreaking waste of taxpayers’ money. This year’s report is especially timely because it provides a useful roadmap for a growing movement of Republicans and Democrats in Congress who are rightfully scrutinizing federal spending on research, particularly untold billions spent on scientifical[...]
Following the money
Government spending transparency websites give citizens and government officials the ability to monitor many aspects of state spending in order to save taxpayers money, realize more efficient government administration, enjoy more competitive bidding for public projects, and spend less staff time on information requests.
Ducey inaugurated, pledges action on budget, school choice
Taking the oath of office as Arizona’s 23rd governor, Doug Ducey foreshadowed a conservative agenda in his administration, vowing a lean budget, efficient government, more choice in education and a focus on bringing new companies and jobs to the state.
Dire warnings of Prop. 100 foes didn’t come to pass
Three years after voters approved Proposition 100, the naysayers’ doom-and-gloom predictions about the consequences of the temporary sales tax hike haven’t panned out.
Arguments against Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal for a temporary 1-cent sales tax increase often veered into predictions of catastrophe. Many said it would severely hamper the state’s economic recovery efforts, that t[...]
Court rules Legislature can take money from workers comp fund
The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled Friday that the Legislature can sweep money from a workers’ compensation fund that provides additional awards for catastrophically injured workers.
In looming budget fight, Pierce says GOP caucus is ‘further to the right’ than Brewer realizes
The political tango over the shape of the state’s budget for the next few years has begun.
Legislative leaders met with Gov. Jan Brewer Tuesday, but the two sides couldn’t yet agree on how to proceed with crafting the state’s spending plan.
Lawmaker: Have voter-approved measures face reauthorization
In 1998, Arizona voters decided to bar the Legislature from making changes to initiatives and referendums without a three–quarters vote in each house. But Rep. Chester Crandell has proposed that any voter-approved measure using public funds later face reauthorization votes by the public.
GOP lawmakers seeking strict spending caps
Republican legislators are striving to mark Arizona’s centennial with a fundamental change to how the state spends its money that would effectively shackle future Legislatures from creating any new government program unless they found a corresponding place to cut spending.
Brewer budget plans for slow growth, cautious spending
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 [...]
Governor, lawmakers will need to reconcile budget estimates
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.
Battle over spending limit continues after Brewer veto
After fighting for years, small-government advocates thought they had a victory as the Legislature passed HB2707, the so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights measure that would place strict limits on how quickly government spending could increase.
Brewer vetoes bill to limit state spending
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has used her veto stamp on a bill that would have placed a new limit on state government spending.
