May 25 , 2009
Sorry about no report last week, but there really wasn't anything to report. You probably read that the Senate Appropriations Committee passed out a version of the budget last week, but it differs significantly from the House Approps plan. Both House and Senate leaders have indicated that they don't have the votes to get either out of their respective chambers. So we wait.
And while we're waiting, the Governor still refuses to divulge her plans for the stimulus money over which she has sole discretion -- an amount of $185 million. She has filed her application that specifies the way she intends to use the portion of the stimulus devoted solely to education. That's pretty much a given, as the money comes with very specific strings as to how it will have to be spent.
It's the $185M that has the most flexibility, and which would do the most to help close our deficit. In the meantime, we (the legislature) are taking the hits for "decimating" education and throwing the disabled out on the street. It seems that she wants to be the knight on the white horse that rides to rescue of the downtrodden. I cannot express the level of frustration that I, and most members, have been feeling the past few weeks.
In the meantime, we are continuing with minimal floor action -- passing a few bills that will just be kept in storage until the Senate decides to do their part.
We will be addressing one important issue on Wednesday, that of the status of disabled and foster children whose scholarship program was recently ruled unconstitutional by the AZ Supreme Court. We are creating another tax credit that it is hoped will cover the cost of keeping these students in private schools that have proven to be more successful in tending to their needs than the public schools they previously attended. I'm expecting that it will pass along partisan lines and be signed by the Governor.
It's a short week because of Memorial Day, which reminds me that I should mention the brief, but moving, ceremony held at the American Legion post in Bullhead City on Monday. It was discouraging to see the few number of people who attended, but at least they made the attempt. I also watched the annual Memorial Day Concert from Washington, D.C. broadcast on PBS. I don't support PBS any more, but I have to admit that this concert was one of the best I have seen. There were great patriotic songs and a tribute to one of the surviving casualties of our current war. I found myself applauding even though the performers could not have heard me!
It's still possible that we may have a breakthrough in the budget negotiations in the next few days, but I'm not expecting it.
Until Next Week,
Nancy
Rep. Nancy McLain
602-926-5051
nmclain@azleg.gov
Nancy McLain, District 3, Arizona House of Representatives
nmclain@azleg.gov or
nmclainbhc@aol.com