"We face a state fiscal crisis of unparalleled dimension, one that is going to sweep over every single person in this state as well as every business and every family". -This problem did not happen overnight.
Governor Jan Brewer held an emergency cabinet meeting yesterday morning where she outlined for our state's elected leaders and business leaders the ills our state faces. Brewer told them yesterday, "we are faced with some of the worst days in our 97-year history".
The state has a budget deficit for the current fiscal year of $1.5 billion. Next fiscal year, 2011 -- a budget year that begins in just six months -- is even worse. Next year's budget deficit stands at $3.4 billion. Five years of spending nearly doubled state government. The economic recession has reduced state revenues by almost 40 percent in just 3 years. Population growth in school children, university students, health care and welfare populations and inmates in our state prisons has fundamentally ruled out simplistic solutions like rolling the state budget back to levels from five, six, or more years ago. Federal and voter mandates prevent us from touching nearly two-thirds of the state budget, and procrastination, denial, and lack of will have allowed these problems to fester.
To help solve the budget shortfall Gov. Brewer made the following orders; The Arizona Department of Corrections is to return to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") -- as soon as possible -- all non-violent criminal aliens as is allowed under existing law. Brewer said these inmates are the responsibility of the federal government (as is securing our border with Mexico). Arizona should not have to bear this cost.
Brewer also restated the Arizonans-only directives to state agencies to ensure that public benefits are provided only to those who are legally in this country and who reside in the state. She ordered all state agencies who provide benefits to citizens to implement means testing and sliding fee schedules. While the government safety net must stay in place, we need to secure help only for the neediest among us.
State Treasurer Dean Martin says he may have to pay the state's bills with IOUs instead of real checks.The state treasurer expects a ripple effect to slow spending everywhere if the state makes employees, and companies wait to turn IOUs into real money. George Cunningham was Governor Janet Napolitano's budget director. He says more of us will feel the pain as cuts dig into popular programs.
Ariz. Attorney General Terry Goddard
Comments
A budget crisis brought to you by a lopsided tax structure, created by the Republican-controlled legislature.
A budget crisis greatly exacerbated by the demise of economic growth, brought about by the end of inexpensive oil. We passed the world oil peak in 2005. We're witnessing the last remaining months of the world's industrial economy. More details can be found at Nature Bats Last, guymcpherson.com.
A budget crisis greatly exacerbated by the demise of economic growth, brought about by the end of inexpensive oil. We passed the world oil peak in 2005. We're witnessing the last remaining months of the world's industrial economy. More details can be found at Nature Bats Last, guymcpherson.com.
Guy- Not to mention our industry being shipped to china, and the welfare rolls swamped by illegals of all kinds. Buy American, and tell your reps NO shamnesty.
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