Today the Jan Brewer and the Arizona Republicans got back to work. The recent tragedy in Tucson in their rear-view mirror, they decided to get back to fundamentals--killing the poor and keeping the electorate dumb.
Today Jan Brewer released her budget proposals. Lowlights include
- Ending free health care for most poor adults (280,000 people).
- Cutting community college funding by over 50% ($68 million).
- Cutting university funding by 20% ($170 million).
As far as the University and Community College cuts, there really is no stopping them. As for the health care system for the poor (AHCCCS), that will require a waiver from the US Government (not likely) and is in direct violation of an existing voter mandate (to cover the cost of health care of all under the poverty line).
But have no fear, AZ republicans have a plan...
John Arnold, the governor's budget director, said if the waiver is not granted, then the state is stuck with $1 billion in annual expenses it cannot afford. At that point, he said, lawmakers will be stuck with two alternatives: Slash other state funding by that much more or eliminate the AHCCCS program entirely, giving up $7 billion each year in federal aid.
One thing not on the table are higher taxes to bridge the gap, above and beyond the funds coming in from the temporary one-cent hike in sales taxes approved by voters last May.
"We think there's a real limit to the amount of new revenues that you can pull out of an economy that is not in aggressive expansion,'' he said.
The republicans would rather turn down $7 billion in aid rather than raise $1 billion needed to secure the government money. They would rather kill the a few of the poorest residents of the state than pony up a little extra cash. And no, I am not being hyperbolic--the republicans have already killed two people waiting for organ transplants. They cut funding for transplant services last year.
So, for all who wondered why some Tucson residents booed Jan Brewer at the memorial on Wednesday...now you know.