Gov. Janet Napolitano and legislative leaders reach a deal to cover an estimated $300 million shortfall in the current fiscal year by trimming transportation spending and raiding various funds, including Heritage Fund. Officials still face an estimated billion-dollar shortfall in next year's budget.
REJECTED!
Napolitano issues her first veto, rejecting a bill that allowed the Legislature to take control of about $5 billion in federal funds now under authority of executive branch.
WHY RAISE TAXES WHEN WE CAN CUT OFF FUNDING FOR DISABLED KIDS?
Parents of developmentally disabled children rally at the Capitol in response to a GOP plan to cut $22 million in state aid to families earning more than $40,000. The state cuts will also result in the loss of 2-to-1 federal matching funds.
BAD MATH
Wealthy districts are far more likely than low-income districts to benefit under Arizona's educational tax credit program, ASU study shows. GOP response: See? We told you public education was flawed!
HIT PARADE
Campaign consultants celebrate! A federal appeals court overturns Arizona law requiring 24-hour notice to candidates targeted by hit pieces.
C'MON, IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN WORSE THAN WHAT HE DID TO HIMSELF IN THE GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE
Clean Elections Commission fines former GOP gubernatorial candidate Matt Salmon $10,000 for irregularities in campaign finance reporting. Salmon responds with a $3.2 million lawsuit claiming the accusations from Clean Elections officials caused him and his family pain and suffering.
WHO AM I?
I dole out about $2 million in grants to help organizations like Arizona Theatre Company, Ballet Arizona and Borderland Theater. The GOP budget proposal zeroes out my annual funding, as well as returning my $7 million endowment to the state general fund. Without me, the state would lose $665,000 in annual matching funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Who am I?
Answer: Arizona Commision on the Arts
