Governor Wins Budget Battle

[lady lib]

Janet Rocks and the GOP sucks!!!

Governor Napolitano Wins Budget Battle
GOP, It's Time to Get Your Story Straight!

Once again Governor Napolitano has shown why her strong leadership, pragmatic approach to government, and ability to build consensus has made her an overwhelmingly popular Governor. Despite ideological opposition from the extremist Republican Legislature, Governor Napolitano has successfully secured a budget that expands voluntary all day kindergarten, funds the creation of a new medical school in downtown Phoenix, protects Arizona's children, and provides childcare assistance so those wanting to work for a paycheck aren't forced onto welfare.


While Governor Napolitano signs the budget this week, remember that the GOP leadership fought tooth and nail with her to block investment in programs that move Arizona forward. As GOP leadership tries to claim a Republican budget victory, don't forget that they're taking credit for the very initiatives they failed to fund in their original anti-family, anti-children, fiscally irresponsible budget. This is a deliberate Republican effort to mislead the people of Arizona, don't let them get away with it!

Security at State Prisons

What They're Taking Credit For Now:
Providing pay increase for correctional officers.

What They Originally Voted for:
A budget that refused to fund Governor Napolitano's recommended 7.5% pay increases for all correctional officers to address the danger of high turnover rates which leads to inexperienced officers and an increased risk to the public.

Foster Care

What They're Taking Credit For Now:
Providing additional $12.5 million to increase foster care payments.

What They Originally Voted for:
A budget that slashed children's services funding by $3.8 million, placing hundreds of children at risk for abuse and neglect.

Adoption Funding

What They're Taking Credit For Now:
Providing additional $9.3 million for adoption services.

What They Originally Voted for:
A budget that refused to provide any additional funding for monthly payments to families who adopt or become permanent guardians of children from the CPS system with special needs.

Child Care Subsidies

What They're Taking Credit For Now:
Providing $11.2 million for child care subsidies.

What They Originally Voted for:
A budget that denied childcare assistance to more than 14,500 children, preventing thousands of families from making work a lifestyle.

Child Protective Services

What They're Taking Credit For Now:
Providing additional $9 million for Child Protective Services to enable the division to hire 137.5 new case managers.

What They Originally Voted for:
A budget that slashed 184 case managers who would investigate reports of child abuse and neglect and cut vital services that protect children.

[NoodleBoy]

1. this is why they need that anti-gay marriage thing in 06

they know they're lined up to take the fall, so they have to resort to gay-bashing and fear of "activist judges."

Part of me is happy that they were pretty well defeated, but I'm pretty sure they just threw all that up as a smokescreen for what they really wanted--school vouchers--which they got in the end, as part of their "deal." Fuck, I heard Napolitano walked out on them when they were refusing to budge on their fudning of NOTHING, and that takes alot of balls in any state. It just pisses me off to see them manipulate the budget so much and threatening Napolitano with it just to get their precious, precious voucher program (which takes money from public school funds and gives that money to private schools with very little oversight).

I just hope their little gay marriage initiative fails to get on the 06 ballot, because it would mean slaughter for the republicans in the legislature and statewide.

[lady lib]

2. I just love the way

this one lady can outlead, outsmart and outballs (I just made that up :)) the entire Repuke legislature. You know they're going to resort to the gay bashing thing because they've got nothing else - except guns in bars. What the hell is that about, anyway? Apparently, it's impossible for them to embarrass themselves!

Anyway, we are incredibly lucky to have Janet! Someone's gotta be the grownup!!