http://www.knst.com/player/?station=KNST-AM&program_name=podcast&program_id=interviews.xml&mid=22078494

Most Arizona families apply the common sense practice of financial planning by not only looking at the short term financial situation of their household, but also the long term financial situation. State government should, and now has, applied this concept as well. The previous legislatures and governor made no such effort to plan for the future and take into account unforeseen emergencies, as a result, they left the state with a huge, $3 billion deficit. I have pledged to do all I can to see that will not happen again.

The budget passed yesterday has been dubbed the “Steady as she goes” budget, and for good reason. Arizona is facing several financial cliffs that will have a significant impact on the state’s general fund. Some of those include the expiration of the one cent sales tax, Obama Care’s unfunded mandates which .could amount to more than $210 million in FY 2015, several lawsuits that could impact the budget by upwards of $500 million and a still fragile economy at risk of reverting to a “double dip” recession.

So, here are some of the highlights of the budget.

The budget passed yesterday truly balances FY 2012, FY 2013 and even FY 2014. It puts $450 million back into the state’s “rainy day” fund, and starts paying down our debt with $142 million payment. The FY 2013 budget has a modest spending increase over 2012 of just $45 million, going from $8.527 billion in 2012 to $8.572 billion in 2014. We also adjusted some spending priorities, by putting additional funding into K-12 education and the university systems; more than $104 million.  Additional appropriations include additional funding for breast cancer treatment, child protective services, temporary aid to needy families, and a rate increase for providers of the developmentally disabled.

Going forward Arizona must continue to control its spending and foster financial stability in our budget. This will go a long way to creating the conditions for business to come to Arizona and for those already here to expand. We have already seen significant job growth and a decline in unemployment as a result of the conservative fiscal policy changes made since 2009.

Regards,

Frank Antenori

“Our entire system of governmental checks and balances is designed to safeguard the rights of the American people from being trampled upon by an out of control government.   The Supreme Court was deliberately designed to be above electoral politics and have the final say as to whether a law is consistent with the constitution,”  Antenori said.

“Obama knows this and has chosen to attack a cornerstone institution of our government as created by the constitution he took an oath to protect,” Senator Antenori said.

“The people have the ultimate right to amend the constitution, but Presidents and Congresses do not have the right to trample it.   The President’s comments yesterday hit a new low and underscore an apparent disrespect for our form of government,” he said.

As a State Senator, Antenori was instrumental in advancing Arizona’s formal constitutional challenge to Obamacare.

“Regardless of the outcome of the pending case before the Court, I will respect the Court’s decision even if it proves to be one that I disagree with.     If the Court upholds Obamacare than it is my intention to repeal the law in its present form and to move forward with ensuring that affordable health care is available through competitive markets, more doctors, and greater individual choice,” Antenori said.

Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Gary Pierce and Commission Members Brenda Burns, and Bob Stump today issued the following joint statement:

“The failure of our federal government to have a cohesive national energy policy is costing our state and country dearly.   Every family in Arizona sees it at the gas pump and we all feel it when we pay our electric bills.   Simplistic solutions and political rhetoric on the part of those in Washington who advocate hope for technologies tied to their political cronies is not the answer.

“Frank Antenori has been effective for Arizona in helping to turn our state around.  We were losing jobs and now we are gaining jobs largely because of the work of people like Senator Antenori who eliminated our state budget deficit and cut the size and ultimate cost of government.

“Senator Antenori is an effective leader who backs up what he says by what he does.  In our opinion, he is the best choice for Congress from Southern Arizona in either party.”

The commissioners indicated that they were expressing their preference as private individuals who understand the challenges faced by the nation in delivering affordable, dependable energy to our communities.

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Wed, March 28, 7:00 pm.

Sonoita / Elgin Firehouse, 3183 Highway 83

Fri, March 30, 6:30 pm.