Gov. Doug Ducey is looking to maintain the status quo in the in the face of a proposed policy change in the budget that would make it far more difficult for overcrowded school districts to get state funding to expand.

Arizona lawmakers, business leaders and economists face a daunting task as they try to make any changes to the state’s income tax rates and tax system.

In case you forgot, Gov. Jan Brewer has other priorities this year besides getting the Legislature to approve Medicaid expansion. The Republican governor also wants to completely overhaul the state's sales tax collection system.

The newest incarnation of Gov. Jan Brewer’s sales tax reform plan will be a net positive to the state’s general fund that could bring in nearly $37 million in new revenue next year, according to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to simplify the state’s sales tax system could increase state revenues slightly or carry a hefty price tag depending on which estimate of the Legislature’s budget research arm proves correct.

The state collected $915 million in taxes last month, four percent greater than in the prior year, the state’s budget analysts reported.

Before lawmakers decide what kind of discretionary spending they want added in the fiscal 2014 budget, Rep. John Kavanagh said they have to make a choice about whose revenue projections they’re going to believe.

Here’s an early gift from Santa: Collections in Arizona grew by 8 percent last month compared to the year before.