P.L.A.N. Update - Legislature Clears Budget Hurdle‏

Seventh Special Session Sine Die - Governor Signs Budget Package

The seventh special session of the 49th Legislature, which focused on addressing the state’s $3.4 billion deficit for FY 2010 and FY 2011, came to a close at 2:53 p.m. on March 16. The final version of the budget package includes $1.2 billion in state agency and program cuts and identifies $862 million in additional reductions if the May 18 three-year state sales tax increase fails at the ballot box. While revenue sharing went untouched in the end, the Local Transportation Assistance Fund (LTAF) is permanently zeroed out, resulting in a $12 million impact to the City’s transit program this year and $9 million per year after that. Governor Brewer signed the budget package Thursday morning. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee posted the Updated Budget Proposal with Floor Amendments (3/12/10). On page one of the document, select FY2011 Conditional Enactments (pages 5 and 6) to view the summary of additional cuts should the proposed one-cent state sales tax fail.

Payday Lending

Attempts to extend the Payday Lending industry failed once more this week. Senator Russell Pearce (R – Mesa) reintroduced this item via a “strike-everything” amendment on HB2370 in Tuesday’s Senate Appropriations Committee. After much discussion and debate, the bill failed 5-3. No word on whether another attempt at pursuing this legislation will be made this session.

2010 Census Count Important to Phoenix - Census Forms are in the Mail

Watch for your form

Getting everyone in our community counted is important for the city of Phoenix. Each person counted in the 2010 Census brings more than $400 a year to Phoenix to fund critical programs and services. It helps pay for police, fire, parks, libraries, senior centers, roads, public transit, neighborhood revitalization and more.

Census information is safe and confidential. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share your answers with others, including welfare agencies, immigration authorities, the Internal Revenue Service, courts or law enforcement. When you receive your census questionnaire, please take ten to complete and return by mail.

Source: P.L.A.N.