Arizona Democratic Party Statement on Failed GOP Budget

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Arizona Democratic Party has issued a statement responding to the epic failure of leadership from Governor Jan Brewer and the Republican-dominated Legislature in failing to produce a reasonable state budget before July 1 for the first time in Arizona history. Here are the highlights:

Brewer's Failed Leadership Delivers a Budget Mess
Only Stop-Gap Measures Get Through; Serious Budget Problems Still Not Solved


After nearly a full six months in office, and even though the Legislature is controlled by members of her own party, Governor Jan Brewer couldn't pull it off.  As a result of her astounding lack of leadership, Arizona now has an even bigger mess on its hands – an incomplete budget, with absolutely no vision or timeline for a resolution.

 
This marks the opening of a disappointing chapter in Arizona's history.  Education funding remains in serious jeopardy; there is no long-term plan for public safety; we don't even know how much longer state parks will be able to operate. 

The Governor 's decision to veto multiple budget bills – apparently so she and the Legislature can enjoy a long holiday weekend while the state's business goes unfinished – is a gross abdication of her responsibility.  In a statement today, Brewer attempted to lay blame on the Legislature, but it is merely an attempt to pass the responsibility which lies squarely on her shoulders as the executive.

The seeds of the Governor's failure were planted early, and continued inaction made them grow to insurmountable heights as budget negotiations approached their final hours.

Brewer has known since last December that she would ascend to the Office of Governor.  In the time that has passed since then, she has repeatedly demonstrated her inadequate leadership, which has led her to irrelevance, and has led our state into a quagmire never seen in our 97-year history.

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Even with a partial budget, it is unknown whether all critical services will be met without a complete budget. Governor Brewer is steering the state dangerously close to a government shutdown, all in the name of raising taxes on the middle-class.

"Governor Brewer's failed leadership has led us into a tenuous situation that could jeopardize our safety, and impact the lives of Arizonans who simply want a functioning government," said Arizona Democratic Party spokesman Jeff Stapleton. "Brewer is haplessly trying to say the state will be in good hands over the next few days. Average Arizonans are not fooled, they understand the terms, 'balanced budget' and 'on-time', neither of which the Governor could deliver. Democrats should be brought to the table immediately for serious budget discussions to end this embarrassment. Democratic Lawmakers have stood ready with solutions all session, they can deliver if given the opportunity," said Stapleton.

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