PHOENIX — Gov. Doug Ducey on Monday celebrated Arizona's strong economy, new jobs and the state revenue that comes with it, but he said the state should focus on saving for the next economic downturn.
The Republican governor said his budget, set to be released later this week, won't include much new spending. Instead, he'll look to more than double the state's rainy day fund to $1 billion. That would help ensure Arizona can weather the next recession without the severe cuts to education, public safety and other services that followed the last economic downturn, he said. Watch the governor's State of the State speech in the player below:
"With revenue soaring, some have suggested loosen up, let the good times roll," Ducey said in his annual state of the state address. "Ladies and gentlemen: We've seen that movie before, and we know how it ends."
The governor's budget proposal will cover inflation increases and make "targeted investments," including for police officers and counselors in schools, but said it would be "light reading" considering the extra money Arizona has on hand.
Arizona has a projected surplus of more than $1 billion for the next fiscal year, but most of it is one-time funds that can't be counted on to sustain programs with an ongoing cost.
Ducey said that state now owns the Capitol buildings free and clear a decade after they were essentially mortgaged to help get through the Great Recession, when plummeting revenue forced severe budget cuts and unusual gimmicks to get things in balance. The move was roundly mocked around the country at the time.
A week into his second term after being re-elected handily last year, Ducey spoke to a joint session of the Legislature in a House of Representatives chamber crowded with lawmakers, their families and guests.
He said striking a deal to conserve water is job No. 1 for the state Legislature, adding "everyone is going to have to give" as the Western U.S. contends with a prolonged drought.
It's a boring issue to talk about but is important to real people, especially in rural areas, he said.
"It's an issue that deserves your focus and attention," Ducey told lawmakers.
The federal government has set a Jan. 31 deadline for Arizona to reach a deal to conserve water or the agency will impose its own restrictions.
Ducey said he'll push again for a school safety bill that would "put a cop on every campus that needs one," hire more school counselors and improve the accuracy of background checks. It also would allow police or others to seek protective orders preventing someone from buying a gun if they pose a safety threat. It died amid opposition from gun-rights advocates.
Ducey suggested repealing three laws for every new one passed or including an expiration date. And he called on lawmakers to give voters a chance to repeal legislative immunity, which shields lawmakers from prosecution in some circumstances, following recent incidents of lawmakers invoking immunity during traffic stops.
"We are a nation of laws, not men," Ducey said. "No one -- not me, nor you -- is above the law."
He also renewed his aggressive attack on professional license boards that regulate professions like barbering and cosmetology, calling the people who serve on them "bullies." He said Arizona should recognize professional licenses issued in other states. The governor has long criticized the boards as a barrier to jobs.
Earlier, Democrats laid out their own priorities for the legislative session, noting the big gains they made in the November election. The Republican majority in the House has been cut to a 31-29 margin while Democrats won the secretary of state and superintendent of public instruction contests.
Democrats want to boost school funding, improve accountability for charters schools and expand access to Medicaid. They also want criminal justice and sentencing reforms to focus on rehabilitation over punishment and automatic voter registration.
"We are preparing for the inevitable day that we will be in the majority," said Sen. David Bradley of Tucson, the top Democrat in the Senate.
The Governor also plans to attempt again to pass his Safe Arizona Schools Plan after republicans killed the bill last year. It calls for more police officers, school counselors on campus, and improved background checks as well as the ability to keep guns out of the hands of someone who is considered a lethal threat.
Ducey said he plans to keep his promise to pay teachers with a five percent raise this year.
Addressing the state’s teacher shortage, the Governor said he wants to expand the Arizona Teachers Academy. Currently 221 students attend. The Teachers Academy offers full scholarships to students who go to Arizona Universities and then teach in Arizona schools. The governor also wants funding for Career and Technical Education—CTE. Money that will go to train a workforce in things like advance manufacturing, diesel mechanics ,and the culinary arts. Ducey said his entire education budget can be financed without new taxes.
Teacher advocates like Joe Thomas of the Arizona Educators Association don’t think its possible. Thomas says Arizona needs to come up with 700-million dollars just to reach 2008 spending levels. “The governor is out of touch with Arizona. A tax will pass the voters. It needs to pass here at the legislature."
But House Minority Leader Charlene Fernandez is not ready to support a tax. Fernandez says lawmakers need to consider every option. Including cuts to Charter Schools. “This system was never designed for two, a public school system and a charter school system. So, if that’s been draining our public schools, I think we need to look at charter schools and see what they’re doing.”
