Looking weary and with her hair pulled back in a utilitarian ponytail, Gov. Jan Brewer encountered another stalemate yesterday as the fragile budget negotiations shattered again. Neither Republicans nor Democrats are happy with the plan. Debate resumes today.
The sticking points are the temporary sales-tax increase on which Brewer appears to be staking her political future. The Republican governor is not winning GOP converts to a tax hike during these hard economic times. She wants to forward the issue to the voters, thereby keeping the blood off her hands. Republican legislators aren’t buying the charade.
Democrat spending enthusiasts are balking at the inclusion of future tax cuts, which would be an integral part of the ballot referral. State spending would be frozen at the 2009 level for the next three fiscal years.
Stay tuned. Someone needs to blink today.
Wasn’t it interesting that the press conference she called yesterday was attended by House Speaker Kirk Adams, but Senate President Bob Burns was no where to be seen? Was this a boycott?
I can’t imagine any legislator with a brain wanting to vote for a tax increase and have to go back to their district to face their constituents. This is assuredly not the time to stick it to the people who are already on the financial hotseat.
For the first time, I’m keeping close track of who votes how and who slipped out the door without voting on bills that are of great importance to me and my family’s future.
American Dad-Thank You for getting involved! Eternal Vigilance is the price of FREEDOM! If we all get involved like this, our Legislators will see that, & act accordingly. Your KIDS’ll Thank Their Dad for it one day…I did!
Good point, American Dad!
Not only must we track this information, but we must share it with everyone within our respective spheres of influence: hence the growth of the Tea Party movement.