From Doug Kilgore at the Arizona Educators Association Legislative Center: Thanks, Doug. You've been a good resource.
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December 14 - 18, 2009
Inside This Issue...
- Arizona Legislature Approves Agency Cut Bill
- News Links
Arizona Legislature Approves Agency Cut Bill
The state legislature's fifth special session ended today after the House approved S1001, a bill that would cut over $200 million from agency budgets.
The Senate had already approved the bill on Thursday, but House Democrats insisted on being given enough time to read through the bill and would not waive the three-day rule required by the state constitution to consider a bill.
The bill would cut 7.5 percent from state agency budgets and sweeps some special purpose funds. When Governor Brewer originally called for the special session, the agenda was going to also include ballot referrals for the one-cent sales tax and three-year suspension of the Voter Protection Act, Prop 105, which protects spending on voter approved programs from cut-happy legislators. Due to the number of votes, neither of these ballot measures were put on the agenda and the agency cut bill was the only one that ended up being voted on this special session.
Since the sales tax referral wasn't on the agenda for this special session, it has missed the deadline to be put on the March ballot. And although the suspension of Prop 105 didn't get voted on, this likely isn't the last attempt we'll see at removing it in an attempt to go after Prop 301 education funds and other funding for vital health and human services.
Arizona needs to start getting serious about closing up its 1.5 billion dollar deficit. Spending cuts are not the only answer. AEA and the Arizona Budget Coalition have outlined several budget options that do not rely on cuts. This special session is the same as past sessions where the legislature is divided along party lines and a balanced budget is not reached. Legislators need to come up with a bipartisan solution to balancing the budget that does not reduce Arizona's opportunities for future growth.
News Links
Is Horne Trying to Out-Thomas Thomas?
Clearly, Superintendent Tom Horne is in election mode. He revved up his campaign for attorney general this morning by putting out a press release, decrying the fact that students who live in Mexico are crossing the border at Lukeville to attend public school in Ajo.
Clearly, Superintendent Tom Horne is in election mode. He revved up his campaign for attorney general this morning by putting out a press release, decrying the fact that students who live in Mexico are crossing the border at Lukeville to attend public school in Ajo.
Tom Boone Decides Against Senate Bid
Rep. Tom Boone has dropped plans for a state Senate bid, saying he's too busy with a business that caters to school districts to take on another two years at the statehouse.
Rep. Tom Boone has dropped plans for a state Senate bid, saying he's too busy with a business that caters to school districts to take on another two years at the statehouse.
Contact Us
The Legislative Update will be on holiday break for the next two weeks and return on January 8, 2010. Due to organizational changes, future Legislative Updates will be sent out by Sheenae Shannon, Communications Organizational Consultant, who can be e-mailed at sheenae.shannon@arizonaea.org.
The Legislative Update will be on holiday break for the next two weeks and return on January 8, 2010. Due to organizational changes, future Legislative Updates will be sent out by Sheenae Shannon, Communications Organizational Consultant, who can be e-mailed at sheenae.shannon@arizonaea.org.
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