NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday June 16, 2009

Republicans' Failed Leadership Fuels Race to the Bottom for Arizona

The Republicans much touted budget negotiations have been put on the back burner this week in favor of dueling press conferences, infighting, and even a lawsuit which will all serve to waste precious days as Arizona faces a state government shutdown on July 1st.

At stake is which Republican will be able to harm Arizona further, Republican Lawmakers, or Governor Brewer. With thirteen days remaining, the competition is fierce as each side seeks to implement their misguided plans for the state. Both sides are so eager to undermine critical priorities that they are willing to recklessly shutdown state government in the process, jeopardizing public safety for millions of Arizonans.

Both have put forth plans jeopardizing critical long-term investments to education and healthcare while issuing millions in special interest tax breaks to corporations. Governor Brewer’s plan will raise taxes on Arizona families by $438 a year. Democrats have presented better options for our state, but Governor Brewer will not invite them to participate in budget negotiations.

“Arizona is seeing first-hand a failure of leadership from Republicans, especially Governor Brewer,” said Arizona Democratic Party Chair Don Bivens. “While Republicans drive our state further into the depths, Democrats will stand ready with solutions that will revive our economy while protecting schools, healthcare, and other critical state services,” said Bivens.