Arizona House of Representatives

       1700 West Washington Phoenix, Arizona 85007-2844

Phone:  (602) 926-3233 FAX: (602) 417-3120

bmarson@azleg.gov  www.azhouse.gov

 

Speaker Jim Weiers (R-10)

News Release  

Monday, June 23, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

House unveils 2009 budget that protects education, children and public safety

 

 

            (State Capitol, Phoenix) – A 2009 budget unveiled by House leaders Monday protects classroom funds and does not cut services that deal with children and public safety.

 

The budget closes a $1.9 billion estimated deficit but ensures the gains made in the last several years in the classroom, to teacher salaries and to child services remain in place.

 

The House budget reduces state spending by almost $1.4 billion, which includes agency reductions and fund shifts, and borrows $500 million for school construction.

 

The provisions come after weeks of negotiations with a bipartisan group of legislators and the governor

 

“We have crafted a common sense budget that continues to invest in education and children and we will not shy away from that,” House Speaker Jim Weiers, R-Phoenix, said.

 

The budget calls for spending $4.6 billion to education, an increase of nearly $200 million from the current year.  The proposal would not cut money to the classroom.

 

One move used in the past is taking the $106 million to pick up litter on state highways and send money to cities for transportation. The House budget takes that money and puts it in the general fund.

 

“If given the choice of cleaning the side of the road or protecting Child Protective Services from reductions, I will always choose the safety of children,” Weiers said. “This is a reasonable budget that reduces the state government but does no harm to essential services.”

 

In fact, one budget provision bars the governor from reducing state funds to Child Protective Services.

 

House Majority Leader Tom Boone said the proposed budget takes no money from Arizona’s classrooms.

 

“Fully funding our students and teachers has been and remains a priority for the House,” Boone, R-Peoria, said. “The House budget shows we can invest in children and balance the budget without placing a heavy burden on future generations.”

 

House Majority Whip John McComish, R-Ahwatukee, said this budget combines ideas from across the political spectrum.

 

“Republicans and Democrats had input and now it’s time to provide state employees, school districts, cities and all state residents with certainty of a sound, reasonable budget,” McComish said.

 

 

 

 

###

 

 

For further information contact:

Barrett Marson, Director of Communications

 Arizona House of Representatives

Office: (602) 926-3233, e-mail: bmarson@azleg.gov