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From
the Governor's Office:
Governor's Message of the Week
Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Dear Friends,
Earlier
this week, the Bush administration released its federal budget
proposal.
Although analysis is ongoing, one thing is already crystal
clear
- this budget leaves states on their own. It's causing great
concern
for governors - Republicans and Democrats alike.
While
the federal government undoubtedly needs to reduce its deficit and
escalating
debt, slashing vital health, public safety and
border-security
programs is not the solution. The federal government has
an
obligation to properly fund services that matter most to Americans,
especially
families and children. And when the federal government
doesn't
meet its responsibilities, states are left with a hefty bill.
Shifting
heavy financial burdens to the states could not come at a worse
time.
States, such as Arizona, are facing tight fiscal times and limited
resources.
The
federal government's misplaced priorities make Arizona's budget
process
even more critical to protecting the health and safety of our
families.
While it cannot compensate for every cut proposed by the
federal
bookkeepers, my budget invests in the key services Arizonans
value
and depend on. Our children and families are counting on us and we
won't
let them down.
My
budget for Arizona recognizes that healthy children do well in school
and
targets $4 million to KidsCare health insurance to reach children in
our
lowest-income households. This funding will be used to expand
coverage
to more children and reduce premiums. My budget also extends
health
insurance to nearly 12,000 parents of children enrolled in
KidsCare.
Helping provide for the health of our children and families is
one
of the best investments we can make for Arizona's future.
In
our post-9/11 world, public safety has taken on a new level of
importance.
Protecting our citizens is government's most fundamental
responsibility,
yet the federal proposal leaves us vulnerable. It is
more
critical than ever that we maintain an experienced corps of public
safety
professionals; yet, the proposed federal budget actually cuts
funding
for local police forces from $600 million to $60 million and
fails
to boost pay for key military personnel.
On
the other hand, my Arizona budget provides increased salary packages
to
recruit and retain qualified state correctional and public safety
officers.
The
security of our border is another area about which I am deeply
concerned.
Despite last year's landmark intelligence reforms, Washington
backed
off its plan to hire 2,000 additional border patrol agents.
Instead,
this budget pays for only 210 officers. Given the
immigration-related
problems that face us in Arizona, it just doesn't
work.
We
have tight times ahead, but we have made a commitment to the people
of
Arizona that I intend to keep - even with limited support from the
federal
government. Thank you for your letters, e-mails and calls
recognizing
the value of the programs and services my proposed budget
supports.
Together, we will continue moving Arizona forward, making it a
better
home for all of its citizens.
Yours
very truly,
Janet Napolitano
Governor
Please
encourage your friends and family to sign up for my Message of
the Week at http://www.azgovernor.gov.
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