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Viewing Category: Budget
Napolitano proposes plan to erase budget shortfallPHOENIX - Gov. Janet Napolitano on Wednesday proposed a plan to erase a projected $600 million shortfall in the state's budget that has been increasingly battered by the slumping economy.
Permalink [Filed under: Budget]Posted by Editor at 04:19 PM
Governor looks for ideas on possible state budget cutsGov. Janet Napolitano is asking state agency chiefs to figure out where they might be able to cut spending if that becomes necessary.
The governor acknowledged Tuesday the state began its new fiscal year on July 1 with about $226 million less than anticipated in leftover cash from the prior budget year. On top of that, tax collections for July were nearly another $25 million below the forecast used to build this year’s $10.6 billion spending plan.
Permalink [Filed under: Budget]Posted by Editor at 04:09 PM
Budget may be facing trouble, report findsTax revenue is falling short of projections only a month after state lawmakers approved a $10.6 billion state budget, a state budget report says.Permalink [Filed under: Budget]The Joint Legislative Budget Committee reports that one of the major factors leading to the decline in tax revenue is the slowdown in the housing market. The state showed a drop of 900 construction jobs in May, compared with a 10-year average gain of 2,200 construction jobs in May, the report said. The slower-than-expected tax collections could matter because lawmakers counted on and have already "spent" $530 million in anticipated surplus money for the new budget year.
Sen. Bob Burns, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said budget negotiators had anticipated a slowdown in tax collections.
Posted by Editor at 09:47 AM
Red ink comes early in new state budgetThe newly enacted state budget may already be in the red. New figures from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee show that the state was headed into the end of the last fiscal year with $140 million less in revenue than anticipated.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Legislature]The problem is that lawmakers were counting on that cash to balance the new budget. And that budget has little room for error: It presumes the state will have just $1 million left over on June 3, 2008 — a margin of less than 1/100th of a percent of the $10.6 billion budget.
What’s worse, according to Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, is that lawmakers — and the governor — got an advance preview of the new report. Pearce, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, called the new budget “dishonest.”
Posted by Editor at 04:27 PM
Respite care in demand despite $20M budget; governor creates program...They provide more than three-fourths of all care for people with chronic, longterm illnesses or disabilities...
“If you take that away, our system would come to a grinding halt,” said David Best, caregiver resource specialist with the state Department of Economic Security. “The workload and the stress is off the charts.”Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Governor, Health Care]So it is that caregivers are at greater risk for disease and depression themselves. They’re forced to take time off work and face lower wages, less job security and shrinking retirement benefits.
Caregivers tell researchers that what they need most is an afternoon or a weekend off from their 24/7, emotionally draining, physically demanding jobs. Respite has been shown to improve the health of caregivers and, in turn, make them better
Posted by Editor at 08:34 AM
Governor signs budget including pay raises, highway constructionPHOENIX (AP) -- Gov. Janet Napolitano on Monday signed into law a $10.6 billion state budget that includes new money for teacher pay raises and bioscience research, and sets the state on course to build new schools, prisons and highways.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Governor, Legislature]The budget, which goes into effect July 1, increases spending by $216 million, or 2.3 percent, from the current fiscal year's budget, while providing $10.5 million in new tax relief. That's in addition to previously approved tax cuts that won't kick in until the coming fiscal year.
Posted by Editor at 07:49 AM
$10.6B budget wins Demo leader's praisePHOENIX — The head of the Arizona Democratic Party praised Gov. Janet Napolitano for signing a $10.6 billion budget — and suggested that the last four she signed were not in the best interests of the state.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Democrats, Governor, Legislature]In a press release, state party Chairman David Waid called the spending plan, signed Monday by the governor, a "major achievement for Democrats."
"Arizona deserves a balanced and reasonable budget that reflects our priorities and is based on the principles of fiscal responsibility," Waid said. "Democrats worked hard to pass a budget that does that."
Posted by Editor at 07:48 AM
Az budget pleases administratorsCity, county funds uncut; teachers, UA get more, but tax credit for businesses left out
Fans of budget cutting may not be thrilled with the state's $10.6 billion spending plan for fiscal 2007-08, but the folks that budget feeds were pleased.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Legislature]The budget reflected, to a large degree, the compromises achieved by Senate Democrats and Republicans, who negotiated a budget. Then the senators and Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano leaned on House Republicans to swallow most of the bipartisan deal.
Napolitano is expected to sign the budget approved by the Legislature shortly before it adjourned its 2007 session early Thursday.
Posted by Editor at 07:20 AM
Napolitano likely to OK $10.6B budget packagePHOENIX — Arizona's $10.6 billion spending plan for the coming fiscal year is now in the hands of Gov. Janet Napolitano who is expected to give her approval.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Governor, Legislature]On Tuesday the House gave final approval to the package that gained Senate OK the day before. But it came over the objection of many Republicans who are unhappy with the amount of money being spent and what they see as a tiny tax cut.
In fact, more House Republicans voted against the plan than supported it, despite the fact the GOP has the edge in the chamber. What pushed it through was strong support from Democrats.
Posted by Editor at 06:46 AM
State budget 'earmarks' unveiledPHOENIX — Congress may be trying to get rid of "earmarks" in the federal budget.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Legislature]But the practice is alive and well at the state Capitol as legislators carved out nearly $29 million of next year's $10.6 billion spending bill approved by the Senate Monday night for their own spending priorities — many for their home districts.
The budget had no real changes from the plan hammered out last week. That includes $11 million in tax cuts, mostly for business.
Posted by Editor at 07:12 AM
Budget OK won’t end legislative sessionLawmakers are expected to finalize a new $10.6 billion state spending plan this week, but that doesn’t mean an immediate end to the session. Still on the table are several high-profile issues that could go unresolved this year — unless legislative leaders act quickly this week.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Legislature]Those issues include measures related to illegal immigration, preserving state trust lands and air quality.
But the longer the bills sit, the less likely they will be passed, especially as pressure builds to wrap up the session.
Posted by Editor at 07:17 AM
$10.6B Ariz. budget in perspectiveState lawmakers are scheduled to vote this week on a $10.6 billion spending plan. But exactly how much is $10.6 billion? Well, it depends on exactly how you look at it.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Legislature]From a time perspective, it amounts to spending $1.2 million every hour of the year — or $336 every second.
It also can be evaluated on a human basis.
The last official estimate on July 1, 2006, put Arizona’s population at 6,305,210. That was a 3.7 percent increase over a year earlier.
Posted by Editor at 07:13 AM
Budget includes visitation funds for families of wounded soldiersPHOENIX -- The new $10.6 billion state budget set for adoption this coming week plan includes a bit of help -- at least indirectly -- for some families of wounded soldiers.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Military]A provision in the package provides up to $1 million a year that could be tapped by relatives who want to visit family members being treated at military hospitals but lack the funds to make the trip.
This new fund also would provide grants to the widows and widowers of those killed in action to help with living expenses. That includes up to six months' worth of mortgage payments or rent, utilities and other "basic living expenses."
Posted by Editor at 10:08 PM
State lawmakers reach budget deal... Bee said the final budget has no debt for schools and no gimmicks to balance it. He characterized it as favorable for children and education. Expenditures would be up $600 million, or 6 percent, over the budget approved last year.The budget may be lacking money for one issue lawmakers have agreed is one of the state's biggest: illegal immigration. Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa and the Legislature's loudest voice for immigration control, said he has been led to believe the budget does not include a planned package to reimburse counties for the cost of jailing illegal immigrants.
Lawmakers expect to unveil the details Monday and then move the budget to a vote in the Senate, to be followed by the House. Gov. Janet Napolitano is believed to support the agreement.
Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Legislature]
Posted by Editor at 07:26 AM
Arzberger: State budget talks "totally unproductive"The outlook for a budget deal between House and Senate lawmakers took a sour turn Wednesday, casting doubt on hopes for a compromise this week.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Legislature]Legislators on all sides seemed pessimistic. Republican Rep. Russell Pearce, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, shook his head at the possibility of a budget deal Wednesday.
Senate Minority Leader Marsha Arzberger, perhaps the leading Democratic negotiator, said the past two weeks of closed-door talks with House leaders have been "totally unproductive."
Posted by Editor at 12:30 AM
Most districts’ budgets still mysteriesWith just three weeks to go until the new fiscal year, most taxpayers have yet to hear how much they’ll be paying to support East Valley classrooms. School taxes are typically the largest portion of a homeowner’s tax bill. Public education eats up 46 percent of the state budget.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Education]Yet most school districts wait until the end of June to make their proposed budgets public — giving residents just two weeks to offer input on how their tax dollars will be spent to educate children.
“Some (districts) are very guarded with that information. Others put it up on Web sites and they encourage public participation,” said Kevin McCarthy, president of the Arizona Tax Research Association. “Every local government is different in terms of how they deliberate the budget — how much of that is public. How much is private.”
Posted by Editor at 12:42 AM
Most lawmakers get time off while leaders work on budgetPHOENIX - The Arizona Legislature's leaders are giving rank-and-file members some time off now that the regular session has dragged into June without a new state budget in sight.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Legislature]Normally, the Legislature works Mondays through Thursday during its monthlong session, but the House and the Senate both met only briefly Monday before adjourning until Thursday. There was a similar intermission last week.
Monday's work day saw the House act on several bills, while the Senate skipped both of the two bills on its calendars.
Posted by Editor at 01:29 AM
House GOP barely prevails on AZ budgetPHOENIX — House Republican leaders corralled the necessary votes Tuesday, just barely, to push through their version of a new state budget.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Legislature]The 31-29 approval came after several Republicans who voted to kill the $10.6 billion funding plan last week were persuaded to change their minds.
Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, said he still believes the plan crafted by GOP leaders amounts to "socialism run rampant." Key objections include continued funding for programs to provide low-cost health insurance for families who earn too much to qualify for the regular state health plan.
Posted by Editor at 06:52 AM
House Democrats want vote on Senate budgetHouse Democrats are continuing their push to bring the Senate budget to a vote, while urging rejection of the budget plan crafted by House Republican leaders.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Legislature]On Monday, House Minority Leader Phil Lopes called for immediate action on the Senate-passed version of the budget.
Work has slowed to a crawl as lawmakers debate budget bills, or wait for action to resume.
Posted by Editor at 06:41 AM
Tax Cut Two StepSenate budget out of step with Arizona taxpayers
The state Senate passed a 2008 budget yesterday, but the state House had to put their budget vote on hold. Now what?Permalink [Filed under: Budget]It would be in the best interest of Arizona for the House to approve their plan early next week and stop the Senate's runaway freight train of a budget.
Posted by Editor at 01:11 PM
Senate OKs budget of $10.6B; passage in House could be chorePHOENIX — The state Senate passed a $10.6 billion budget package Wednesday that received bipartisan support but still faces a battle in the House.The passage comes a day after a competing package failed in the House.
The two budgets have many similarities. But the House budget offers more than $60 million in tax cuts, whereas the Senate budget allocates only $7 million in tax cuts. Instead it pumps more money into health and welfare issues.
Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Legislature]
Posted by Editor at 01:58 AM
House nixes budget proposed GOP leadersPHOENIX - The House on Tuesday narrowly rejected a state budget proposed by the chamber's Republican leadership, a development that could boost the prospects of a rival bipartisan plan pending in the Senate. A handful of Republican representatives joined the Democrat minority in voting against the House Republican leaders' proposal.Permalink [Filed under: Budget]The vote on the package's main appropriations bill - the only bill in the package actually considered Tuesday before leaders pulled the plug on the session - was 27-31, with 31 affirmative votes required for passage by the 60-member House.
Posted by Editor at 07:47 AM
House, Senate budgets head down to the wireThe Arizona House of Representatives could finalize its $10.6 billion budget package as early as Tuesday night and their counterparts in the state Senate expect to pass their own budget later this week.Permalink [Filed under: Budget]The two budgets then must be reconciled in a conference committee by Republican legislative leaders and worked out with Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano.
Posted by Editor at 07:35 AM
House Republicans join Democrats in voting against $10.6B budgetPHOENIX — A $10.6 billion budget proposal failed to pass the state House on Tuesday, in part because of opposition from some Tucson lawmakers.Permalink [Filed under: Budget]Five Republicans, including Tucson Reps. Jennifer Burns and Pete Hershberger, joined Democrats in opposing the budget package, which would have provided $63 million in tax cuts.
Meanwhile, a group of Southern Arizona Democrats — Reps. Linda Lopez, Pete Rios and Olivia Cajero Bedford — also opposed the budget despite speculation from fellow Democrats that they had struck a deal with Speaker of the House Jim Weiers. Lopez had offered an amendment to add $9 million in child-care subsidies to the budget, but her amendment failed to even win support from some in her party.
Posted by Editor at 07:03 AM
Lawmakers (and reporters) gird for late night as budget talks intensifyUpping the ante in budget negotiations with the Senate, House Republicans plan to bring their proposal to the floor on Tuesday for preliminary consideration and, later in the day, a final vote.Permalink [Filed under: Budget]House Republican spokesman Barrett Marson alluded to what is likely to be a lengthy day of budget debate with a note to reporters:
"For those interested in covering the entire House budget debate, I recommend you bring sleeping bags tomorrow. And get plenty of sleep tonight."
Posted by Editor at 07:03 AM
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