When I read this story in the paper this morning, the headline made me groan. My first impression was that of angry school children arguing over a ball on the playground. But after I read the whole article, my position is, "Shame on you Legislature!" You are making people, your voters by the way, lose what little amount of faith they have left in government.
It is unfortunate that filing a lawsuit is what the Governor was forced to do, but I understand. The state budget has been an issue for a while now. The legislature has a budget plan that they are supposed to hand over to the Governor for approval. What they are doing now is withholding that plan until the last minute possible because they don't want the Governor to have time to disapprove of anything, make veto's or act in the interest of the state. It is unconstitutional and it's wrong. Come on, GOP! You all are even in the same party! Not only will this rip you apart, it will destroy Arizona!
Money is a hard issue, everyone has a different opinion of what needs to be done. However, the last plan set in place by Janet Napolitano has obviously not worked for us and has left us with an incredible financial burden. It is time to try something radically different and new if we are going to come out on the other end of this alive. I would urge the legislature to stop behaving like a mad, petulant child and take their budget plan to the Governor proudly! If you are so pleased with your plan, what would you have to fear? Is there something in there you don't want anyone else to see? Work together! Come to an agreed upon solution and put your petty differences aside before it's too late and Arizona dumps government all together and starts it's own version of Lord of the Flies!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Glendale In Court For The Coyotes Today
I've been waiting anxiously all week for this day to come. Today, the City of Glendale will have it's voice heard in court regarding the Arizona Coyotes.
Current owner, Jerry Moyes has filed bankruptcy over the team and is attempting to sell it to Blackberry mogul, Jim Balsillie for $212.5 million who would move the team to Canada. The City of Glendale, with the support of Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association, argue that this cannot and should not be allowed in the interest of the sport, and of Glendale who has supported the team with millions of tax-payer dollars.
We wish Glendale the best of luck in keeping the Coyotes in Arizona. To lose them would be a severe economic blow to the city and would give the impression to other sports teams who may be under financial stress that bankruptcy is an "easy out" of their current contracts. We will be watching with baited breath and keeping our fingers crossed.
Current owner, Jerry Moyes has filed bankruptcy over the team and is attempting to sell it to Blackberry mogul, Jim Balsillie for $212.5 million who would move the team to Canada. The City of Glendale, with the support of Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association, argue that this cannot and should not be allowed in the interest of the sport, and of Glendale who has supported the team with millions of tax-payer dollars.
We wish Glendale the best of luck in keeping the Coyotes in Arizona. To lose them would be a severe economic blow to the city and would give the impression to other sports teams who may be under financial stress that bankruptcy is an "easy out" of their current contracts. We will be watching with baited breath and keeping our fingers crossed.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Governor Jan Brewer's Budget
Ah, the budget crisis. It seems like this is all anyone is talking about lately. Correction, this is all anyone is arguing about lately. It would be a shame if I weren't in on all of the commentary, so here we go.
I officially support Governor Brewer's budget proposal. Arizona is in trouble. Arizona is my home and part of my family, if my family member were in trouble, I would do all that I could to help it, and that absolutely includes me digging around in my couch cushions for an extra $1.20 a day or so for three years. That figure comes from a quote within the linked article where democratic lawmakers have estimated that a 1-cent-per-dollar increase in the state sales tax would cost the average Arizona family $438 a year.
No one likes to hear about the idea of taxes being raised, not even republicans or democrats, believe it or not. However, the truth of the matter is that we as Arizonans are facing a $4 billion deficit. That number affects us all just by living here. I for one do not want to see Arizona become a broke, fiscally ruined state like our neighbors in California.
Parts of Governor Jan Brewer's plan include:
- Nearly $1 billion in spending reductions, including about $360 million in cuts from this year that will be continued in 2010
- Using more than $800 million in federal assistance
- About $750 million in borrowing including selling future revenues from the state Lottery
- Conduct sale-leaseback deals on prisons and other state properties
- Push a payment for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System into the next fiscal year.
- The final element of the plan is a temporary, 1-percentage-point increase in the state sales tax. The increase is expected to generate about $1 billion a year and would expire after 36 months.
We can certainly all put aside our differences and do what is in the best interest of our beloved state, can't we? I am sure that many out there have their different opinions on where money should be spent, not spent, taxed, not taxed, etc. but, bottom line is, we are not in the same position that we have entrusted our lawmakers with. We have elected people to represent us, guide us and make the tough decisions. I don't envy the Governor and her staff their task, but I do support them.
For more articles on Governor Jan Brewer's budget plan, please take a look at:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2009/06/02/20090602politics-phoenix0603.html
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2009/06/01/daily44.html
I officially support Governor Brewer's budget proposal. Arizona is in trouble. Arizona is my home and part of my family, if my family member were in trouble, I would do all that I could to help it, and that absolutely includes me digging around in my couch cushions for an extra $1.20 a day or so for three years. That figure comes from a quote within the linked article where democratic lawmakers have estimated that a 1-cent-per-dollar increase in the state sales tax would cost the average Arizona family $438 a year.
No one likes to hear about the idea of taxes being raised, not even republicans or democrats, believe it or not. However, the truth of the matter is that we as Arizonans are facing a $4 billion deficit. That number affects us all just by living here. I for one do not want to see Arizona become a broke, fiscally ruined state like our neighbors in California.
Parts of Governor Jan Brewer's plan include:
- Nearly $1 billion in spending reductions, including about $360 million in cuts from this year that will be continued in 2010
- Using more than $800 million in federal assistance
- About $750 million in borrowing including selling future revenues from the state Lottery
- Conduct sale-leaseback deals on prisons and other state properties
- Push a payment for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System into the next fiscal year.
- The final element of the plan is a temporary, 1-percentage-point increase in the state sales tax. The increase is expected to generate about $1 billion a year and would expire after 36 months.
We can certainly all put aside our differences and do what is in the best interest of our beloved state, can't we? I am sure that many out there have their different opinions on where money should be spent, not spent, taxed, not taxed, etc. but, bottom line is, we are not in the same position that we have entrusted our lawmakers with. We have elected people to represent us, guide us and make the tough decisions. I don't envy the Governor and her staff their task, but I do support them.
For more articles on Governor Jan Brewer's budget plan, please take a look at:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2009/06/02/20090602politics-phoenix0603.html
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2009/06/01/daily44.html
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