NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday July 23, 2009

Unemployment Up, Schools at the Breaking Point - Brewer on the Sidelines

Three weeks into a special session called to fix the state budget, Governor Brewer continues to sit on the sidelines, admitting that she has not engaged in negotiations during the special session. (AZ Capitol Times, 7/21/09 )

With Arizona’s unemployment rate at 8.7%, and an education system facing teacher layoffs, Brewer continues her pattern of failed leadership, sitting on the bench and insisting others do the heavy lifting. (See: Capitol Media Services, 7/20/09 and KPHO, 7/22/09 )

Attending a press conference concerning a drug seizure made by DPS, and not budget negotiations, the press began to ask questions about the matter at hand, the budget. Brewer promptly began placing responsibility for fixing the mess on the shoulders of lawmakers, urging them to “move forward swiftly.” Ironically, she ignores the fact that she wasted nearly five months of the state’s time without a budget plan of her own, the catalyst for the current budget mess and reason for the special session. (AZ Capitol Times, 7/21/09 )

“The budget situation has been fluid to say the least, but one constant has been the lack of leadership from Governor Brewer,” said Arizona Democratic Party Executive Director, Luis Heredia. “Arizona is facing a crisis, we need a leader in the Governor’s Office who will engage Democrats and Republicans, bring all parties to the table, and negotiate a solution protecting critical priorities.”