By Alia Beard Rau | The Arizona
In response to criticism last year that Republican leaders rushed passage of a state budget with little public input, Gov. Doug Ducey and the Legislature this year promised more transparency.
But not everyone at the Capitol views transparency the same way when it comes to the state’s proposed $9.5 billion spending plan.
At one end of the spectrum: The House Appropriations Committee has elected not to allow public comment during departmental budget hearings to be held over the coming weeks.
At the other end: The Senate Appropriations Committee will invite the public to speak on the state spending plan, and the Governor’s Office has been gathering public comment at events around the state.
