The worst thing that could have happened to the Republicans’ conservative approach to state finances is a nearly $1 billion surplus.

State lawmakers could save more than $1 billion this fiscal year if they would cut funding for universities, limit enrollment in the Kids Care health insurance program, reduce funding to public schools and take money earmarked for road construction and instead use it to pay the salaries of Department of Public Safety officers.

For six years, Gov. Janet Napolitano steered the state government toward a budget crisis. She and Democratic legislators, with the help some so-called "moderate" Republicans, have increased the state budget by 59 percent from fiscal year 2004 to 2008, while population and inflation grew by 30 percent. The result was to increase the size of government to unsustainable levels and create massive budget deficits.

Arizona voters need to give lawmakers permission to raid some special funds to get the state out of its immediate financial hole, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee said Thursday.

Higher education is the first fiscal target the Legislature will aim for when it convenes this week in an effort to close a budget deficit that continues to widen.

State lawmakers were furious Tuesday when Arizona State University Foundation members didn’t show up to explain plans to build a $300 million research center in Scottsdale.

September 22, 2004

Arizona legislative leaders touted the fiscal year 2012 "balanced" budget by claiming their cuts-only philosophy and practice - especially as pertaining to health care and education - were their only options. They also said such action was exactly what voters wanted.

Le Templar: A new report from staff for the Joint Legislative Budget Committee makes it clear the state now is in violation of a constitutional provision that it must either cut spending or raise taxes to eliminate deficit spending.

Tempe's forecast budget deficit may have doubled to $11 million, Mayor Hugh Hallman said Thursday, now that state officials are rethinking how badly the struggling economy will hurt Arizona.

 Republican legislative leaders conceded for the first time Wednesday there is no way to balance the budget this year and next without borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars.

Lawmakers are eyeing an extra $56.7 million collected in tuition by the three public universities, possibly to directly or indirectly help balance the state budget.

Lawmakers are eyeing an extra $56.7 million collected in tuition by the three public universities, possibly to directly or indirectly help balance the state budget.

Arizona legislative budget analysts say there still appears to be red ink in the recently started fiscal year's budget, but it may be less than expected as the state struggles to emerge from its fiscal crisis.

The newly enacted state budget may already be in the red. New figures from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee show that the state was headed into the end of the last fiscal year with $140 million less in revenue than anticipated.

January 12, 2005

Officials with cities and counties across the state are scratching their heads over a state budget provision that requires them to contribute almost $30 million into the state’s General Fund, without offering any hints as to why.

Led in part by an improving economy, Arizona is ending its budget year with a surplus three times larger than anticipated.

The state isn’t bringing in enough money to pay its bills this year as the economy isn’t recovering as fast as anticipated.

State spending continues to outpace revenues, paving the way for a deeper deficit even after lawmakers enacted more than $420 million in savings, a new report says.

The state's budget situation continues to darken as Arizonans are spending a lot less than last year, especially on cars and trucks.

Arizona lawmakers will be dressed in their finest Monday as they convene this year’s legislative session at the state Capitol, but they’ll soon start paring Arizona down to its skivvies to balance a gaping midyear budget deficit.

The East Valley’s wish list for state money will have to get shorter this year. Threats of a nationwide recession, coupled with less money coming into state coffers, have created financial obstacles for East Valley lawmakers wanting to bring projects back to their districts.

Led in part by an improving economy, Arizona is ending its budget year with a surplus three times larger than anticipated.