Healthcare legislation is putting the kibosh on Immigration reform. Seems that the Democrats push for healthcare at-all-costs; or maybe that should be “at any costs”, is creating a huge rift between them and Republicans that will preclude any type of meaningful governing. Apparently multitasking is not in the repertoire of our Senators and working on more than one problem at a time is out of the question. And by the way, what ever happened to creation of jobs for the unemployed. As an aside, maybe we need a tax on all jobs performed by offshore employees that provide onshore company profits? Latest data shows that Homeland Security has deported 388,000 illegal immigrants through September 2009, up from 369,000 the previous year. This represents less than 3% of the projected 15 million here. Immigrant advocates are complaining that this deportation is severing families and must be addressed as quickly as possible. Absent any meaningful legislation the Latino voters might just stay home during this November’s midterm elections. All to which President Obama says he is committed to immigration overhaul, and agreed to have the advocates meet with Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano to discuss deportation policies. I noted in Tuesdays edition that they arrested a California man heading up a ring of illegal test-takers for predominantly Middle Eastern nationals. Hopefully Janet and the Pres will get a heads up on this.
The UA will be raising tuitions and fees somewhere between 10-20% next year in an effort to make up for the $100 million reduction in the state budget. UA President Robert Shelton had projected a need for a 31% increase. The article goes on to say that UA has reduced expenses by $40 million and will increase tuition and fees for $45 million more. Just a couple of observations: a.) Where and how did he come up with 31 percent; b.) $40 million plus $45 million don’t equal $100 million, c.) Where do they get the shortfall?, and d.) What happens if the sales tax increase fails? Looks like there are others out there asking the same questions. As recently as this minute the Regents have directed the universities to cut salaries.
The AZ legislature is moving a budget proposal forward that relies on voter approval of a sales tax increase and voter repeal of a 2006 mandate to fund programs for early childhood development. The legislation also wants to redirect the cigarette tax to fund programs other than that approved by voters. You can read all of the pros and cons by various legislators but it can all be wrapped up in the statement by Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills who says, "We stand in a situation where, over the last decade, we grew government at a particularly fast pace because the money was there”. I guess we have to have faith that a recovery within a year or two is probable. Without that we are at the mercy of those who were born before “early childhood development” was available.
Just for the record, the state Senate has proposed a 5% cut in pay for state workers, but not all workers. The Senate rejected, 15-14, a proposal by Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-Phoenix, to extend the across-the-board pay cut being mandated next year for most state workers to those who enact the budget. How do you like those apples?
Remember all of those taxes voted for by the electorate, cigarettes and alcohol? Well, guess what? They want more in spite of the fact that the governments mandate on warning users of the health problems associated with cigarettes and alcohol, along with tighter control on sales to minors, is counter productive to these taxes. But you have to love their reasoning. Americans love their vices, be it cigarettes, drinking or gambling and the government knows a good thing when it sees it. However, at some point the well runs dry. So, let’s get it while the getting is good. Keep in mind though that these taxes are the basis for starting new government funded programs and when the money dries up they go somewhere else to get it; they don’t close down the program. Also keep in mind, the major users of these products are those that can least afford them. According to statistics provided by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Arizona is among the lowest income earners within the country.
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