FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato

Lawmakers met historically difficult challenges in just 100 days

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX (April 20, 2011) – The Arizona House of Representatives wrapped up the 1st regular session of the 50th legislative session today, meeting some of the biggest challenges in the state’s history – and doing so in record time.

Lawmakers adjourned in 100 days – the shortest session in more than a decade. Only five times in the last 30 years have lawmakers finished so swiftly.

What’s even more impressive is that lawmakers tackled some of the most complex challenges in the state’s history: Closing a $1 billion budget shortfall; reforming entitlements; streamlining government; and creating jobs.

“It’s fitting that the centennial Legislature rose to the great challenges before us in a way that the legendary Arizona leaders who came before us would be proud of,” said House Speaker Kirk Adams. “Rather than kick the can down the road, this Legislature proved that it is possible to balance the budget, create jobs and reform government and entitlements. These are tough decisions that required bold action – and we rose to the challenge.”

Majority Leader Andy Tobin credited both veteran and new lawmakers for coming together and getting down to business.

“Our work to fix our economy, create jobs and reign-in spending does end today – but by making bold decisions over the last 100 days we are a giant step closer to brighter days for Arizona,” Tobin said. “The voters sent us here to make tough decisions, and together, we’ve worked hard to do just that.”

Less than 40 days into the session, the House passed a historic and comprehensive Jobs Bill. The largest permanent tax cut in Arizona history, this Jobs Bill is the first step in our efforts to turn Arizona’s economy around, diversify our economic base and make sure there are high-paying, high-quality jobs for hard-working Arizonans.

Eighty-two days into the session, the House passed a balanced budget that cut more than $1 billion from the state budget and instituted long-term spending reforms. This was the first structurally-balanced budget to pass the Legislature in at least five years – and it included no new gimmicks, debt or borrowing.

Ninety-five days into the session, the House passed a major pension reform package that protects the commitment we’ve made to our hard-working teachers, firemen and police officers by ensuring our state pension system is solvent and sustainable. Without a sustainable pension system, we couldn’t guarantee that it would still be there. This proposal ensures that it will be. This pension reform package aims to stop the abuses we’ve seen in the system – like double-dipping – and modifies the benefits elected officials receive to more closely match what rank-and-file state employees receive.

###