AZ House Dems push on schools and budget

Rep. Cloves Campbell

UPDATE, 8/12: AZ budget news on facebook and twitter @RepPatterson.

PHOENIX -- In addition to calling for an investigation into abuses of the state’s Private School Tuition Tax Credits program, which reportedly is violating several federal and state laws, Arizona House Democrats today again pushed positively for a fair solution to the budget crisis.

Republican lawmakers and Republican Gov. Jan Brewer once again failed to pass and sign a budget Tuesday, again leaving the state under economic duress.

"Just like all Arizonans, Democrats are just as frustrated with the total lack of leadership on the state budget," said House Democratic Leader David Lujan. "It is ludicrous that the legislature has had seven months to pass a budget and still can't get the job done. This kind of behavior is unacceptable."

House Democrats once again sent a letter Tuesday to their Republican colleagues and Brewer to join them in working together on a bipartisan and common-sense budget solution.

"Continuing a failed Republican-only budget strategy will not solve this crisis," said Rep. Daniel Patterson, D-Tucson (District 29). "We're all in this together and need to work cooperatively across the aisle to build a stronger Arizona for our kids, future economic recovery and improved quality of life."

Republican lawmakers deserted bipartisan budget talks with Democrats on July 28 in favor of a partisan budget that failed to pass again and drove Arizona further into debt.

"Bottom line: we need to pass a budget," said Rep. Cloves Campbell, D-Phoenix (District 16), Appropriations Committee member. "In order for our state to succeed, we must stabilize revenue, protect schools and vital services and turn the economy around. There is an obvious path to a responsible and comprehensive budget solution, and as always, Democrats stand ready to walk down that bipartisan path for a stronger Arizona."

- adapted from House Dems PIO