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June 2009

A Word from ATA Lobbyist Barry Aarons

The only difference between this year's Arizona Legislative Session and the movie "Groundhog Day" is that each morning does not begin with the Sonny & Cher hit, “I’ve Got You Babe.”

As the month of June begins, we still do not have a budget that is passable by the Legislature and would be signed by Governor Brewer. Things deteriorated at the end of last week when a memo by the support group, Building a Better Arizona 2012, was released outlining their grassroots efforts to get the Governor's five point plan enacted by the Legislature. Reaction by legislative leadership was not at all good.

The five points, which include budgetary reform, revision of voter protected spending, future tax cuts for economic stimulus, a temporary three year tax increase and enhancement of the state's rainy day fund were released by the Governor in her February address to a Joint Legislative Session. But the proposal fell on deaf ears with its inclusion of the tax increase. Given the two-thirds requirement for enactment of a tax increase the sentiment at the Legislature is that it would be difficult at best to pass.

What we do know is that the Legislature must complete a budget by the end of June or face a government shut down.

And as Sonny sang, "Well I don't know if all that's true.’Cause you got me, and baby I got you."

The AOT budget, on the other hand, remains in all proposals currently in front of the Legislature at the same agreed upon level it has been at for months. That is a good thing. We appreciate all the efforts by Tourism Alliance members and their staffs in support of the grassroots program that has been largely responsible for the terrific response we have received from Arizona Legislators of both political parties.

The efforts to sweep tourism promotion and youth and amateur sports funds back to 2001 levels to supplement the operations of the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AzSTA) are still being debated by the stake holders with legislative leaders split on what to do.

Bills are still in limbo as Senate President Bob Burns is awaiting a final budget solution before he makes any bill assignments. Therefore, tourism legislation has been meandering slowing in the House side.

So, stay tuned folks. The next 30 days are likely to be a wild ride. It's enough to drive most practitioners crazy. As the sign in former House Speaker and Governor Jane Dee Hull's office read, "Of all the things I've ever lost, I miss my mind the most!"

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