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CAA Honors Freddy Hershberger
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(April 28, 2008) Former state representative and untiring children’s advocate Freddy Hershberger was honored by Children’s Action Alliance (CAA) for her years of service on behalf of Arizona’s children. Hershberger was honored as the first Tucson Champion for Children, an individual from Southern Arizona who is an outstanding leader and advocate on behalf of vulnerable children and families. View full story here.
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FY 08 Budget Passes
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(April 21, 2008) The state legislature has passed, and the Governor signed, legislation that will eliminate the current fiscal year's budget shortfall. The budget "fix" is a responsible, bipartisan, pragmatic solution which will not result in the loss of existing services. Review CAA's summary chart by clicking here. The four-part solution was crafted by: - taking $487 million from the Rainy Day Fund
- transferring $295.9 million from other funds to the General Fund
- deferring until next fiscal year the last payment to public schools, creating a one-time "savings" of $272 million, and
- cutting $309.7 million from state agency budgets.
Most of the state agency cuts come from savings accrued through hiring freezes and cutting back on agency operations. $43 million in school building and maintenance was eliminated from the budget. Additional savings were made possible from lower caseloads in the cash assistance programs, lower student counts for K-12 students and shifting some funding for the Department of Public Safety to the Highway Fund.
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Budget Cuts Could Raise Health, Child Care Costs
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(April 14, 2008) As state budget negotiations continue, Children's Action Alliance has created a new fact sheet on how possible budget cuts would affect health care and child care for working families. The updated family budget pie chart shows monthly expenses for a sample family that is barely making ends meet. Any cuts to child care assistance, KidsCare, or KidsCare parents will be cost increases to working families like this one at a time they can least afford it. Even families who do not receive KidsCare would likely see higher health care prices with the cuts, as doctors and hospitals make up for the care they deliver to families without coverage.
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Bill Would Permanently Cut Arizona Priorities
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(January 30, 2008) HCR2038, the "Son of TABOR," has returned to the legislature. This bill would reduce state funding for priorities such as education, prisons, and protecting children from abuse and neglect, and make the cuts permanent. Read more.
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