Arizona budget shortfall projection reaches $2B

Law & Politics

Legislative budget analysts raised their estimate of Arizona's midyear budget shortfall to nearly $2 billion, up from approximately $1.5 billion. The growing shortfall, roughly a fifth of the budget, prompted calls to cut spending, increase taxes and raid voter-mandated programs.

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee staff on Thursday cited the latest drops in tax collections, increased spending for safety-net programs and newly reduced expectations from some budget-balancing maneuvers as it boosted its shortfall estimate on the current state budget.

Other elements of the shortfall already included a nearly $500 million deficit carried over from the last fiscal year and about the same amount of budget savings lost when Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed parts of the budget on Sept. 4.

The budget has roughly $10.1 billion of state spending, including $1.1 billion funded by federal stimulus dollars. Before being augmented by the federal money, borrowing and other maneuvers, regular state tax collections provide only $6.4 billion.

Arizona's economy has been hit hard by the recession, and economists said Thursday the recovery will be slow and long.

Related listings

  • Guantanamo prisoner says he's lost hope in Obama

    Guantanamo prisoner says he's lost hope in Obama

    Law & Politics 09/24/2009

    A Guantanamo prisoner who held up a photo of President Barack Obama as a sign of hope at a war crimes court hearing last year said Wednesday he has lost faith that the American leader will be much different than his predecessor.Ahmed al-Darbi, who to...

  • Liz Cheney refuses to discuss veep's role in CIA

    Liz Cheney refuses to discuss veep's role in CIA

    Law & Politics 07/14/2009

    Vice President Dick Cheney's daughter Liz said Tuesday she doesn't believe her father did anything wrong in connection with a secret CIA operation that officials have said was designed to capture and kill al-Qaida figures. At the same time, Liz Chene...

  • Democrats push for probe into Bush policies

    Democrats push for probe into Bush policies

    Law & Politics 07/13/2009

    President Barack Obama has been reluctant to probe Bush-era torture and anti-terrorism policies, but his Democratic allies aren't likely to let the matters rest. "I've always preferred my idea of a commission of inquiry to look at all these issues," ...

Illinois Work Injury Lawyers – Krol, Bongiorno & Given, LTD.

Accidents in the workplace are often caused by unsafe work conditions arising from ignoring safety rules, overlooking maintenance or other negligence of those in management. While we are one of the largest firms in Illinois dedicated solely to the representation of injured workers, we pride ourselves on the personal, one-on-one approach we deliver to each client.

Work accidents can cause serious injuries and sometimes permanent damage. Some extremely serious work injuries can permanently hinder a person’s ability to get around and continue their daily duties. Factors that affect one’s quality of life such as place of work, relationships with friends and family, and social standing can all be taken away quickly by a work injury. Although, you may not be able to recover all of your losses, you may be entitled to compensation as a result of your work injury. Krol, Bongiorno & Given, LTD. provides informed advocacy in all kinds of workers’ compensation claims, including:

• Injuries to the back and neck, including severe spinal cord injuries
• Serious head injuries
• Heart problems resulting from workplace activities
• Injuries to the knees, elbows, shoulders and other joints
• Injuries caused by repetitive movements

For Illinois Workers’ Compensation claims, you will ALWAYS cheat yourself if you do not hire an experienced attorney. When you hire Krol, Bongiorno & Given, Ltd, you will have someone to guide you through the process, and when it is time to settle, we will add value to your case IN EXCESS of our fee. In the last few years, employers and insurance carriers have sought to advance the argument that when you settle a case without an attorney, your already low settlement should be further reduced by 20% so that you do not get a “windfall.” Representing yourself in Illinois is a lose-lose proposition.

Business News

St Peters, MO Professional License Attorney Attorney John Lynch has been the go-to choice for many professionals facing administrative sanction. >> read