Arizona’s legislative season has officially come to a close with Governor Doug Ducey signing the $9.6 billion state budget.
Proclaiming in a statement that the spending plan prioritizes public K-12 education, Ducey pointed to Arizona’s first "positive structural balance" since 2007 as proof the government can “live within its means.”
The plan uses $232 million in that "positive" surplus money to eliminate budget gimmicks put in place by lawmakers during the recession.
Ducey stressed the coming fiscal year budgets’ strategic investments in schools, universities and child and public safety.
A week ago, budget talks were stalled. The big battle was between Republicans over education funding. After marathon negotiations, in the end, the GOP-dominated Legislature and Ducey agreed to add about $30 million to make the deal happen.
The budget plan also includes $26 million in tax cuts, mainly benefitting businesses.
