Arizona’s water supply a major issue for legislative session
By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Pinal Central
/Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services
State lawmakers return to the Capitol Monday to deal with something they appear to have plenty of — money — and who gets it.
State tax collections have been running ahead of projections made when lawmakers adopted the $11.8 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that began last July 1. Projections suggest the state could end the fiscal year this coming June 30 with an extra $750 million or more, perhaps even approaching $1 billion.
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That’s money available for lawmakers to spend next budget year — or use for permanent tax cuts. And that doesn’t even take into account future collections.
Any discussion will have to include more than how much there is. The more important issue is how much of that surplus is likely to recur in future years.
Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, said the issue is simple: Don’t commit money now for projects and programs unless you’re sure the money will continue to be there.
