P.L.A.N. Update - Propositions 301 and 302: Impact on the State Budget‏

On November 2, voters in Arizona turned down both Propositions 301 and 302. If these propositions had passed, the state general fund would have received approximately $400 million to help close the current budget gap of about $900 million.

Proposition 301 – Transfer of Monies from the Land Conservation Fund
Proposition 301 would have transferred the balance of funds in the Land Conservation Fund to the state general fund. Over the past 11 years, this fund had appropriated $20 million for land conservation purposes.

Proposition 302 – Termination of “First Things First” and Transfer of Monies
Proposition 302 would have repealed the Early Childhood Development Health Program and transferred the balance of uncommitted funds into the state general fund. The Program is funded by a $0.80 tax on packs of tobacco products. According to a Budget Committee report, this program collected $170.9 million in revenues in 2008 and $174.5 million (projected) in 2009 leaving a balance $385 million.

When the legislature convenes in January, the current budget deficit will be one of the first topics to be addressed.

Source: P.L.A.N.