State debt: Arizona’s money pit
The state has borrowed more than $2 billion during the past four fiscal years, boosting its total debt load to $9.7 billion. At least one-third of the state’s debt must be repaid using money from the same account that lawmakers draw upon to pay for public education, Medicaid programs and other basic government services.
Arizona said to be on track for financing
Arizona is on track to complete a big financing deal needed so the cash-short state government can pay its bills during February, officials said Jan. 6. The Department of Administration said it plans to complete approximately $735 million of sale-leaseback financing for prisons, legislative buildings and other state properties this month.