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  

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

GOVERNOR, LEADERSHIP AGREE TO ACCELERATE BUDGET WORK

 

PHOENIX - In a meeting today, Governor Janet Napolitano, Senate President Tim Bee and Speaker of the House Jim Weiers agreed on a plan to expedite work to resolve the projected shortfall in the FY 2008 budget.

 

Legislative hearings on the budget begin early in the New Year, on January 7, 2008. Once agreement is reached to resolve the '08 shortfall, the Governor will call the legislature into special session to enact the necessary changes.

 

"I look forward to working with leadership, and with the members of the Arizona legislature, to quickly finish the 2008 budget, then quickly move on to tackle the FY 2009 budget," said Governor Napolitano.

 

"It is important that the Legislature and governor face this challenge as soon as possible to balance our budget," Weiers said. "We are nearly a billion dollars in the red and the opportunity exists to pare spending without hurting Arizona's critical missions."

 

"During difficult economic times, it is critical we change the way we do business. By working together to expedite the budget process we can solve the state's shortfall in the most responsible way possible," said President Bee.

 

For more information, contact:

Jeanine L 'Ecuyer, Office of the Governor, (602) 542-1342

Laura Devany, Communications Advisor, Arizona Senate, (602) 926-5418

Barrett Marson, Director of Communications, Arizona House of Representatives, (602) 926-3233