Arizona and Yuma consider budget impact

Yuma lawmakers, officials consider budget impact


With the announcement of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's budget for fiscal year 2011, local lawmakers and officials are reacting to what could mean major changes for the Yuma area.

The governor and lawmakers are faced with a daunting task: to balance the current fiscal year 2010 budget with an estimated $1.4 billion shortfall and an even greater estimated $3.2 billion budget shortfall for 2011.

According to a letter to legislators Friday, the recession and Arizona government's structural deficit have combined to devastate the state's finances.

"Revenues have declined for three consecutive years, and, for FY 2010, they are projected to be 34 percent less than in FY 2007," she said in the letter. "While revenues have decreased sharply, we have had to accommodate enrollment growth in our K-12, community college and university systems; extraordinary mandated growth in our Medicaid population; and continued obligations for public safety and general governmental services."

With her version of the 2011 budget out, local lawmakers and officials are thinking about the changes that could affect Yuma.

One of the proposed changes would have counties housing juvenile offenders, which according to the governor's budget would save the state $63.3 million.

Yuma County Administrator Robert Pickels said that proposed cut would be among the ones to impact Yuma County the greatest.

"We're still kind of sorting through the issues and determining what the actual impact would be to Yuma County," said Pickels, who was in Phoenix Friday to meet about the proposed cuts.

He said officials are now trying to formulate a plan on how to absorb the additional costs.

State Sen. Amanda Aguirre, D-Yuma, said, "Of course, we're all opposed to the cuts and the impact in Yuma County. Certainly, we don't have the facility to do that in Yuma County."

State Rep. Lynne Pancrazi, D-Yuma, said, "It really hurts my head to think that the most vulnerable of our state are the citizens that are going to be impacted by these cuts, plus our kids.

"You cut out the juvenile facility and any means of rehabilitating these kids is out," she said.

State Rep. Russ Jones, R-Yuma, said while he is still reviewing Brewer's proposed budget, there are certain things the county and the city government could take on because those entities would be better suited to run it.

"That's going to be part of the negotiation process - the give and take details."

Jones said the Joint Appropriations Committee will meet Wednesday to start on what is the beginning of the budget process. Both Jones and Aguirre sit on the committee.

Another proposed cut in Brewer's budget could reduce what cities receive from lottery proceeds that now help local governments with transportation needs and would reduce tourism funding.

City spokesman Greg Hyland said he hasn't seen the governor's proposed budget yet, "but any reduction in funding will seriously affect the services the city of Yuma provides to our citizens."