Brewer: Republican legislators “irresponsible”

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by David Safier
Let the games begin continue!

Gov. Jan Brewer lashed out Friday at legislators from her own Republican Party for trying to fix the state's budget problems by taking $190 million from cities and counties.

"I think it's irresponsible," Brewer said of the proposals.

What? It's irresponsible to balance the state budget by throwing city and county budgets to the wolves?

Not according to Russell Pearce.

Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said he understands that the cash will mean hardships for cities and counties.

But Pearce, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said this isn't like the state is taking dollars the local governments have collected themselves.

"The truth is, it's a state license," he said. And while the state has been able to share that revenue in the past, Pearce said it has to cut back because of a deficit for the coming budget year that is likely to exceed $3 billion.

I remember, I think it was during Reagan's first term as president, Reagan saying one of the ways he planned to shrink the federal budget was by cutting money the feds gave to the states. You know, so he could cut taxes. Someone asked him, "Then how are states going to get the money they need for services?" Without blinking, Reagan replied, "They can raise taxes."

It sounds like Pearce can honestly call himself a Reagan Republican.