Senate panel hears budget reform ideas

The Arizona Republic

Feb. 13, 2004

Arizona Tax Research Association Vice President Michael Hunter presented a series of specific budget reform recommendations Wednesday during the meeting of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The association questioned several "flawed spending formulas" used in the state budgeting process for K-12 public schools and community colleges.

"The Legislature has heard many broad recommendations on budget reform. While useful in many respects, they do nothing to solve the current problem," Hunter said. "The budget reforms we are recommending are specific and, if implemented, could have a real impact on reducing the deficit."

Among the recommendations were several related to managing the impact that the 35 percent homeowners rebate and the constitutional 1 percent cap on residential property taxes have on the state General Fund.