LD26 GOP District Meeting Update

The bulk of this month's legislative district meeting in LD26 was an exchange between Senator Al Melvin and Rep. Vic Williams. Both had an opportunity to express their views and explain their votes on the recently vetoed budgets.

Senator Melvin voted for the original June 4th budgets and "fixes" passed at the end of the regular session. In his view the original June 4th budget was a reasonable solution, and agreed with the legislative leadership's efforts to move it forward. He also expressed disappointment with the lack of unity among Republican elected officials.

Rep. Williams voted against the June 4th package. Time permitted him to explain his two primary objections, although he said he had many others. His chief complaint was about the budget process. He expressed frustration that he was expected to approve a 500+ page budget package that would affect every Arizonan with only 18 hours to review it in detail. His other objection was that the budget package did little to address the structural deficit. He explained that the vast majority of 3.5 billion dollar deficit for 09-10 was addressed with one-time accounting tricks, fund sweeps, barrowing, and stimulus money. He did not think a reasonable observer could come to the conclusion that Arizona's budgetary problems could be fixed without looking at the revenue side.

While the exchange remained within the bounds of what could be called civil discourse, it was clear that the legislators had a clear difference of opinion. Likewise, it was apparent that the participants in the room were divided.

I imagine that LD26 represents a microcosm of the Republican Party across the state. One side clamoring for more cuts, the other looking for a reasonable solution. Although I understand the arguments made by those against increased taxes at all costs, I have yet to hear them acknowledge the devastating effects that would result if government services (education included) were actually cut by 30%. Personally I would prefer reason prevails.