By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services/Arizona Capitol Times
Wasting no time after being sworn in, Gov. Doug Ducey immediately took the possibility of higher taxes off the table to balance the state budget, even on a temporary basis.
In his inaugural speech today at the Capitol, Ducey acknowledged the fiscal problems he faces. That includes an immediate $500 million in red ink for the current fiscal year and another $1 billion deficit for the new budget year that begins July 1.
But Ducey derided those who contend that the only solution is to increase state revenues.
“It will be said that the state has already found all the savings that can be found, cut every line item that can be cut, and now, every option exhausted, it is for the people to pay for the shortfall with higher taxes,’’ he said in his prepared speech.
