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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.
Capitol Quotes 10/23
"Apparently, myself and Senator Gorman are... kind of like the anti-tax Jedi knights. We are the last Jedi banished to the hinterlands, so asking what our opinion on what leadership is going to do is probably the wrong place to ask." - Sen. Ron Gould, a Republican from Lake Havasu City, when asked his thoughts of what will happen during a special session this fall.
Brewer: Expanded Nogales port will boost international trade
NOGALES - Expanding the Mariposa Port of Entry here will reduce delays in each direction, boost international trade and enhance security, Gov. Jan Brewer said Oct. 22. "The expansion will benefit real people who are at the heart of international trade," Brewer said. "We have yet to realize the potential of the trade between Arizona and Sonora."
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.
Tyne’s ouster a sign of things to come
Kevin Tyne's tenure as Gov. Jan Brewer's most loyal and trusted adviser came to an end as the governor announced that budget chief Eileen Klein would replace him as her chief of staff. Lobbyist Chuck Coughlin described the move as a "collaborative decision" between the Republican Governors Association, Brewer and Tyne that would allow Tyne to continue assisting the governor if she seeks a full te[...]
Brewer pushes for change in mental health services
Gov. Jan Brewer on Oct. 20 proposed a policy shift that would steer the mental health care of thousands of Arizona residents to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System... […]
Bankers file suit to challenge repeal of foreclosure law
A coalition of bankers has asked the Arizona Supreme Court to overturn the repeal of legislation enacted to benefit banks harmed by a wave of foreclosures. On Oct. 21, the Arizona Bankers Association has filed a petition for special action with the state's highest court in hopes of negating a provision included in state budget legislation that successfully repealed a foreclosure law signed into[...]
Pearce: Stemming illegal immigration is Arizona’s top priority
Sen. Russell Pearce, the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee said illegal immigration is his top priority, even as Arizona grapples with the largest budget deficit in state history. "I just don't know what it takes to wake people up," Pearce, a Mesa Republican, said during a press conference on Oct. 21.
When loyalty isn’t enough
Former Fife Symington chief of staff Chris Herstam called Eileen Klein a "superb choice... due to her extensive state capitol experience and her brains." But Herstam said it's important to keep the shake-up in perspective. "There's always a six to nine month settling process in a new gubernatorial administration," Herstam said, pointing out that Symington had five chiefs of staff in six-and-a-half[...]
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... […]
Tyne out on Ninth Floor
Gov. Jan Brewer announced that Kevin Tyne, her embattled chief of staff, is leaving her administration and will be replaced by budget chief Eileen Klein. Tyne will stay on with the Governor's Office for the next few weeks to assist Klein with the transition, but Klein will take over as chief of staff immediately, according to Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman. Tyne will join the Republican Governo[...]
