Senate Republicans Reveal Tax-Free Balanced Budget Blueprint

By Jonathan Eberle |

Arizona Senate Republicans unveiled a new budget proposal on Monday, aiming for a balanced fiscal approach while prioritizing public safety, education, infrastructure, water management, and public health. Remarkably, this plan is designed to achieve these goals without raising taxes.

Senate leaders asserted that the budget aligns with bipartisan priorities, presenting a viable strategy to avert a potential government shutdown. Senate President Warren Petersen remarked, “This is a bipartisan budget that the Republican majority can fully support and the governor will sign. We are focused on enhancing public safety by boosting personnel pay and increasing resources for safer communities.”

Petersen highlighted the importance of investments in transportation, particularly road projects that foster economic development. The budget also places significant emphasis on water security and improvements to Arizona’s public health infrastructure.

Senate Appropriations Chairman John Kavanagh stressed the urgency surrounding the proposal, noting the governor’s strong opposition to the House budget. “With the potential for a government shutdown just days away, we must move forward with our conservative spending plan and urge our colleagues in both chambers to back it,” Kavanagh stated.

In a critical evaluation of the House proposal, Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope referred to it as a “fantasyland budget.” He remarked, “Elections have consequences. We are in an era of divided government, and we must proceed accordingly. Republicans can’t secure all their priorities, nor can Democrats. We’ve done well in protecting and funding our Republican initiatives.”

As lawmakers race against the clock, a decision on the spending plan is essential to preventing a government shutdown later this week.