State of Arizona Archives: on Budget & Economy


Jeff Flake: Mocking of earmarks helped lead to moratorium

Something of a political maverick, Flake routinely angered fellow Republicans by highlighting their spending of taxpayer money on parochial priorities. While in the House, Flake's office ridiculed questionable pork projects with a series of "Egregious Earmark of the Week" news releases. His efforts were credited with helping lead to a moratorium on earmarks.
Source: Arizona Republic on 2021 Ambassadorial Confirmation Hearing Jul 13, 2021

Mark Kelly: COVID: supports federal aid to states and cities

Q: COVID 19: Support federal financial aid to help states and cities?

Mark Kelly: Yes. "Congress cannot let Arizona cities and towns go bankrupt in their fight against COVID-19--that would only hurt Arizonans and our economy."

Martha McSally: No. "This is not the time for states and cities who have mismanaged their budgets over the course of many decades to see you, as a taxpayer in Arizona, as a cash cow."

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Arizona Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Martha McSally: COVID: opposes federal aid to states and cities

Q: COVID 19: Support federal financial aid to help states and cities?

Martha McSally: No. "This is not the time for states and cities who have mismanaged their budgets over the course of many decades to see you, as a taxpayer in Arizona, as a cash cow."

Mark Kelly: Yes. "Congress cannot let Arizona cities and towns go bankrupt in their fight against COVID-19--that would only hurt Arizonans and our economy."

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Arizona Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Mark Kelly: End tax breaks for super wealthy; invest in infrastructure

Mark understands that increasing opportunity in Arizona means supporting economic drivers like trade, tourism, and the military, while also making investments in research and development. Mark supports:
Source: 2020 Arizona Senate campaign website MarkKelly.com Jan 15, 2020

David Garcia: 15-county strategy to invest in Arizona businesses

We need to put Arizona first which means investing in and supporting Arizona businesses and entrepreneurs every chance we get. It means prioritizing and encouraging the use of local businesses for public contracts and encouraging local investment in Arizona innovation. Putting Arizona first means that we have a 15-county strategy that invests beyond Maricopa and Pima Counties and identifies and supports the economic engines in the rural parts of our state. One way to grow our agricultural economy is to improve sustainable agriculture and value-added agriculture practices, including craft breweries, vineyards, locally grown and made products, and farmers markets. Arizona's agriculture industry already has a $23 billion impact on our state's economy and there's more room to grow. Improving sustainable irrigation techniques through technology will also benefit farm driven communities.
Source: 2018 Arizona Gubernatorial campaign website dg4az.com Mar 21, 2018

Deedra Abboud: Stimulus better than market-led recovery

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stimulus better than market-led recovery"?

A: Support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

Doug Marks: Get The Fed out of the market

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stimulus better than market-led recovery"?

A: No, Gov't and the FED need to get out of the market and let folks keep their earnings. All market issues are caused by regulation so there is no way another regulation can fix it. To put it simply, for can't fix stupid with more stupid.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

Deedra Abboud: Economy should work for everyone

Arizona families pride themselves in being hard workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. But when the scales are tipped for the most wealthiest, our economy suffers. The federal government is failing to move forward with policies that can improve conditions for working families and bring a diversity of jobs to Arizona.

Deedra Abboud wants to ensure that Arizona families are provided with the chance to succeed. She strongly supports measures to increase the federal minimum wage, ensure equal pay and paid sick days, expand paid family and medical leave, support small businesses, and create jobs.

Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

Andy Biggs: No Budget, No Pay, then a balanced budget

Source: 2016 Arizona House campaign website BiggsForCongress.com Nov 8, 2016

Doug Ducey: Problem is over-spending; so solution isn't more spending

We can't do it without fiscal responsibility. In real life, when families or businesses take stock of how they're doing, the answer has a lot to do with the state of their finances. Well, it works the same in government. And turning to our state's checkbook, we start with the number one billion. In dollars, that would be the difference between spending and revenue if we were to do nothing about it these next two years.

Now maybe I'm of the old school of economics, but this strikes me as a problem. And I am just not persuaded by appeals to raise taxes so that we can spend more. I look at it this way: If the problem is spending more than we have, the solution cannot be even more spending. Instead of demanding more revenue from the people, I suggest we demand more fiscal responsibility from our government.

Source: State of the State address to 2015 Arizona Legislature Jan 12, 2015

Martha McSally: Don't hand to the future $17 trillion in debt

Balancing the Budget: America is $17 trillion in debt and growing, and we cannot continue to spend recklessly and hand this debt to future generations. Getting our fiscal house in order is not just about budgets; it's an economic imperative. A government that spends within its means spurs growth, protects investments in critical government functions, and ensures we hand future generations a strong and secure country.

Instead, our current bloated, inefficient government stifles small business growth and chokes off opportunity for the middle class. Plain and simple, this is a failure of leadership, and we need new leaders in Washington, D.C., willing to put the concerns of hardworking Americans ahead of their next reelection.

It's time we go line-by-line through the federal budget, eliminating waste and duplication wherever it exists.

Source: 2014 Arizona House campaign website, McSallyForCongress.com Nov 4, 2014

Jan Brewer: Fixed $3B deficit & replenished Rainy Day Fund

I am proud to report to you today that Arizona's fiscal house is in order and, together, let's keep it that way. We've come a long way in a short time:
  • In 2009, Arizona's budget was irresponsibly drained. After years of unsustainable spending, we had the worst budget deficit of any state.
  • Today, we've reined in government spending by consolidating, eliminating and transforming our operations.
  • In 2009, Arizona had a $3 billion deficit.
  • Today, Arizona boasts a healthy state surplus and a replenished Rainy Day Fund.
  • Most impressively, we ended this past fiscal year with nearly 900 million dollars in the bank.
  • There is no doubt: Arizona is BACK ON TRACK!
  • We also remember that our state was swept up in some of the worst unemployment in our history, and Arizona businesses and families struggled to stay afloat.
    Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Arizona legislature Jan 13, 2014

    Richard Carmona: Supply-side economics is valid

    Carmona allowed that some Republican economic views, like supply-side economics, hold validity, but insisted that "the markets are much more complicated than that." On taxes, however, he said that he agreed with Flake that "we have to do everything we can to lower the tax rates."

    "We don't want to raise taxes now because that'll push us further into a recession, but we need to start generating some income," Carmona added.

    Source: The Hill coverage of 2012 Arizona Senate debates Oct 10, 2012

    David Ruben: Wealth has become concentrated in the hands of a few

    Wealth in the U.S. has become concentrated in the hands of a few, Ruben said. There is nothing wrong with someone being wealthy, but the income imbalance isn't helping the economy.

    If most of the money is concentrated in the hands of a few, then the average person doesn't have any money to spend to keep the economy going, he said. Increasing taxes on the wealthy won't hurt them and would help the economy by supporting services that middle- and low-income people use to help themselves get better jobs

    Source: Kingman Daily Miner on 2012 Arizona Senate debate May 24, 2012

    Rick Santorum: I opposed the Wall Street bailouts and the auto bailout

    Q: You opposed the auto bailout. What do you say to an auto worker who has that job because of the bailout?

    SANTORUM: I would just say to them that I in principle oppose government coming in and bailing out an industry with government dollars and with government manipulation of that market, which is exactly what happened twice, in 2008 & 2009. The first time was the Wall Street bailout. On principle, I opposed the Wall Street bailout, even though I understand reasonable people could disagree. I felt that having the government come in in such a major way and have a huge influence over the direction of that industry, that that would be damaging to what I believe is the best way to resolve these types of problems, which lets the market work, constructive capitalism. And that means pain. I understand that. But it also means limited government and allowing markets to work because we believe they're more efficient over time. I held the same consistent position when it came to the auto bailouts.

    Source: CNN's 2012 GOP Debate on eve of Arizona Primary Feb 22, 2012

    John McCain: Obama's new spending is committing generational theft

    In his debates with Hayworth and Deakin,, McCain accused the president of "committing generational theft" as a result of new spending, and pronounced himself proud to have led the fight against "Obama-care," vowing to "repeal and replace" it next year.
    Source: Vanity Fair on 2010 Arizona Senate Republican Primary Debate Nov 1, 2010

    Jan Brewer: $5B budget deficit is wrong; right is doing the hard things

    If there's one thing I've learned in my years of public service, it's that doing the right thing--almost always means doing the hard thing. That's what it will come down to in the days ahead. Choosing what's tough over what's tempting. Choosing commitmen over ignorance. Choosing government that is necessary--over government that is merely desired. Choosing the truthful over the false. Honesty, versus lies. Right, versus wrong.

    What's wrong you ask?

    Wrong, is the five high-rolling years before I took office when the system was designed and operated to grow government as large as possible. Wrong, is a state budget deficit of nearly $5 billion across 2 fiscal years. Wrong, is arguing "the system worked"--when evidence to the contrary is everywhere and obvious.

    What's right, you ask?

    Right, is telling hard truth even when it exacts a political cost. Right, is acting not in self-interest but on behalf of others. Right, is self-sacrifice ... commitment to the greater good.

    Source: Arizona 2010 State of the State Address Jan 11, 2010

    Janet Napolitano: Balance budget even during recession

    When I took office, our state faced a budget deficit that many thought would sink our priorities for Arizona. Since then--in surplus and in deficit--I have always presented you with a balanced budget plan that moved Arizona forward. That's an important lesson as we look at our situation today: We don't have to go back. We do have to go forward.

    As revenues increased, we set aside money in a rainy day fund, cut taxes and provided tax incentives for important areas like research and development. We implemented 26 of the 36 recommendations of the Citizens Finance Review Commission. We reviewed all state expenditures and undertook actions such as restructuring procurement and curtailing our use of energy. All told, our efforts have saved more than $1 billion.

    We have passed a balanced budget every year, but we still need to make significant adjustments in this year's budget because of the continuing recession. I have already given you a balanced budget plan for 2009.

    Source: Arizona 2009 State of the State Address Jan 12, 2009

    Jan Brewer: Update antiquated laws and remove publication requirements

    Upon taking office, Secretary Brewer identified immediate ways to save taxpayer dollars and address the ongoing state budget deficit. She had legislation introduced to update antiquated laws and remove unnecessary and expensive publication requirements. Secretary Brewer also consolidated her workforce assignments, eliminated staff overtime, and eliminated various other non-essential expenditures.
    Source: Arizona Secretary of State website Dec 3, 2008

    George W. Bush: Pay-as-you-go means you pay, he goes and spends

    Q: You pledged that you would not raise taxes on those making less than $200,000 a year. How can you keep that pledge without running this country deeper into debt?

    KERRY: I’ll tell you exactly how I can do it: by reinstating what Pres. Bush took away, which is called “pay as you go.” During the 1990s, we had pay-as-you-go rules. If you were going to pass something in the Congress, you had to show where you are going to pay for it and how. Pres. Bush is the only president in history to [rescind pay-as-you-go]. I’m going to reverse that. We’re going to restore the fiscal discipline we had in the 1990s.

    BUSH: I’ll tell you what PAYGO means, when you’re a senator from Massachusetts, PAYGO means: You pay, and he goes ahead and spends. He’s proposed $2.2 trillion of new spending, and yet the so-called tax on the rich raises $800 billion by his account. There is a tax gap. And guess who usually ends up filling the tax gap? The middle class.

    Source: [Xref Kerry] Third Bush-Kerry Debate, in Tempe Arizona Oct 13, 2004

    George W. Bush: The middle class will have to fill the Kerry tax gap

    Kerry had been a senator for 20 years, he voted to increase taxes 98 times. When they’d try to reduce taxes he voted against that 127 times. He talks about being a fiscal conservative or fiscally sound but he voted 277 times to waive the budget caps, which would have cost the taxpayers $4.2 trillion. He talks about pay-go. When you’re a senator from Massachusetts, when you’re a colleague of Ted Kennedy, pay-go means you pay and he goes ahead and spends. He’s proposed $2.2 trillion of new spending and yet the so-called tax on the rich, which is also a tax on many small business owners in America, raises $600 billion by our account, $800 billion by his account. There is a tax gap. And guess who usually ends up filling the tax gap? The middle class. I proposed a detailed budget. I send up my budget man to the Congress and he says here’s how we’re going to reduce the deficit in half by five years, it requires pro-growth policies that grow our economy and fiscal sanity in the halls of Congress.
    Source: Third Bush-Kerry Debate, in Tempe Arizona Oct 13, 2004

    John Kerry: Restore pay-as-you-go for fiscal discipline

    Q: You pledged that you would not raise taxes on those making less than $200,000 a year. How can you keep that pledge without running this country deeper into debt?

    KERRY: I’ll tell you exactly how I can do it: by reinstating what Pres. Bush took away, which is called “pay as you go.” During the 1990s, we had pay-as-you-go rules. If you were going to pass something in the Congress, you had to show where you are going to pay for it and how. Pres. Bush is the only president in history to [rescind pay-as-you-go]. I’m going to reverse that. We’re going to restore the fiscal discipline we had in the 1990s.

    BUSH: I’ll tell you what PAYGO means, when you’re a senator from Massachusetts, PAYGO means: You pay, and he goes ahead and spends. He’s proposed $2.2 trillion of new spending, and yet the so-called tax on the rich raises $800 billion by his account. There is a tax gap. And guess who usually ends up filling the tax gap? The middle class.

    Source: Third Bush-Kerry Debate, in Tempe Arizona Oct 13, 2004

    John Kerry: Shown exactly how to pay for every plan I’ve laid out

    Every plan that I have laid out - my health care plan, my plan for education, my plan for kids to be able to get better college loans - I’ve shown exactly how I’m going to pay for those. We pass, hopefully, the McCain-Kerry Commission, which identified some $60 billion that we can get. We shut the loophole, which has American workers actually subsidizing the loss of their own job. They just passed an expansion of that loophole in the last few days, $43 billion of giveaways including favors to the oil and gas industry and to people importing ceiling fans from China. I’m going to stand up and fight for the American workers and I’m going to do it in a way that’s fiscally sound. I show how I pay for the health care, how we pay for education. I have a manufacturing jobs credit, we pay for it by shutting that loophole overseas. We raise the student loans. I pay for it by changing the relationship with the banks. This president has never once vetoed one bill. First president in 100 years not to do that.
    Source: Third Bush-Kerry Debate, in Tempe Arizona Oct 13, 2004

    Janet Napolitano: Provides funding for the priorities without raising taxes

    I will release a budget proposal that is fiscally responsible, provides funding for the priorities I have discussed - and does so without raising taxes. My Efficiency Review team has worked with thousands of state employees to identify permanent savings and cost avoidances that will save the state at least $843 million over the next five years alone. I am pleased to submit a budget that will fund a leaner, smarter government for the new Arizona.
    Source: 2004 State of the State speech to Arizona Legislature Jan 12, 2004

    George W. Bush: Guarantees future surpluses with his tax plan

    Q: Let’s suppose that the projected surpluses in your tax plan fail to materialize in full or in part. What part of your tax package gets dropped first? A: I refuse to accept the premise that surpluses are going to decline if I’m the president. I think they’re going to increase, because my plan will increase productivity by cutting marginal rates.
    Source: Phoenix Arizona GOP Debate Dec 7, 1999

    Steve Forbes: Fed’s bizarre theory: prosperity causes inflation

    Q: What in your view has Mr. Greenspan done wrong? A: The foundations for today’s prosperity were laid by Ronald Reagan in the early 1980’s. Mr. Greenspan did a very good job in the early 1990’s. But recently he’s fallen prey to this crazy theory that prosperity causes inflation. So they’re trying to slow the economy down by raising interest rates. It’s like a doctor saying you’re in great health, so we have to make you sick a little bit. It’s a bizarre theory. It’s going to hurt our economy.
    Source: Phoenix Arizona GOP Debate Dec 7, 1999

    • The above quotations are from State of Arizona Politicians: Archives.
    • Click here for definitions & background information on Budget & Economy.
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    2020 Presidential contenders on Budget & Economy:
      Democrats running for President:
    Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
    V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
    Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
    Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
    Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
    Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
    Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
    Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
    Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
    Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
    Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
    Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
    Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
    CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
    Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
    Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
    CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

    2020 Third Party Candidates:
    Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
    CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
    Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
    Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
    Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
    Howard Schultz(I-WA)
    Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)     		Republicans running for President:
    Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
    Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
    Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
    V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
    Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
    Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
    Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
    Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

    2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
    Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
    Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
    Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
    Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
    Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
    Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
    Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
    Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
    Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
    Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
    Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
    Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
    Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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