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In Focus
Since his State of the State address on Monday, Capitol pundits and anonymous railbirds have been predicting how the Governor will fund the lofty goals he set forth. This afternoon we got the numbers behind the speech with the release of the FY 2018 Executive Budget.
Governor Ducey has proposed spending more than $9.76 billion in FY 2018 (growth of 1.8%) with an emphasis on K-12 and higher education. Of the $176 million in new spending, $129 million will be spent on new education initiatives:
- $114 million in new K-12 system initiatives. Some of the highlights include: $37.6M to implement results-based funding, $20M for enrollment reconciliation funding, $13.6M to phase in a permanent 2% teacher pay increase over 5 years, $10M for all-day Kindergarten and early literacy funding, $6.4M for $1,000 teacher bonuses in high-need schools, and $5M for the Arizona broadband education initiative.
- $15 million in one-time General Fund support for Universities – ASU ($7.6M), UA ($4.2M), and NAU ($3.2M).
Some of the other crowd favorites from the State of the State include:
- $30 million to the Health Insurance Trust Fund.
- $21.2 million to pay for Proposition 206 increases.
- $1.2 million to DPS to fund the testing of all remaining sexual assault kits.
- $2 million to ADWR for drought contingency planning.
- $500,000 to DOC to address inmate substance abuse and re-entry.
Where’s the tax cut? The Governor’s smallest tax break to date comes in the form of indexing the state’s personal exemption to inflation, which comes with a pricetag of $2.8 million. This will be the second elimination of a “hidden tax hike” since the Governor took office.
Ryan wins first full term as House Speaker
Washington Examiner
Paul Ryan on Tuesday easily won election to his first full term as House Speaker, demonstrating he has quieted past conservative discontent that led to the ouster of his predecessor, John Boehner.
House Republican Conference Committee Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., nominated Ryan, R-Wis., and praised him for uniting the often fractious GOP and producing a six-part agenda on tax reform, national security, health care, welfare and other issues.
[...] Ryan's election was far smoother than Boehner's in 2015, At that time, 24 Republicans voted against Boehner, signalling a growing coup by a large faction of House conservatives who had grown weary of the GOP leadership's legislative tactics on spending and immigration reform.
But Ryan saw few defections from Republicans. By the time he secured the 218 votes necessary, only Rep. Tom Massie, R-Ky., voted against Ryan. Massie cast his vote for Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Fla.
Ryan was first elected Speaker in October 2015 after the abrupt decision by Boehner to retire early. He quickly earned the support of even the most conservative GOP lawmakers who regularly opposed Boehner.
Conservatives said they back Ryan because he includes them in the process, even if they don't ultimately support the resulting legislation.
Ryan, who turns 47 at the end of the month, will preside over a Congress poised to pass a GOP agenda into law for the first time since 2001. Republicans hold the majority in the Senate, while Republican President-elect Donald Trump will take office on January 20.
[...]
Read more HERE.
In case you missed it - Matt was on Sunday Square Off. Video
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U.S. Justice Action Network Applauds Governor Ducey For Prioritizing Justice Reform in His State of the State
Governor Pledges to Reduce Recidivism, Halt the Cycle of Crime, and Prioritize Second Chances for Arizonans
Governor Ducey: “And public safety will always be our top priority.”
Press Release January 9, 2017
The U.S. Justice Action Network, the largest bipartisan organization working to reform the justice system throughout the country and in Arizona, applauds Governor Doug Ducey for laying out a strong plan to reduce recidivism while enhancing public safety during his State of the State address today.
Holly Harris, Executive Director, U.S. Justice Action Network: “In his State of the State address today, Governor Ducey showed a strong commitment to bringing common sense reforms to Arizona’s justice system. He recognizes that communities are stronger and safer when formerly incarcerated individuals are given the necessary opportunities to lead productive, law-abiding lives. He made safely reducing the prison population and targeting the root causes of crime top priorities for his administration, and we look forward to working with him in the coming year to pass much-needed reforms in the state of Arizona.”
Excerpts from Governor Ducey’s State of the State Address:
“In the meantime, let’s help those most affected by these barriers: Arizonans who are struggling to get by and looking to start a new career. Why stand in their way? With another tax, another fee – sometimes hundreds of dollars – before they can start earning a living. So for citizens who are living in poverty, I propose the state waive their licensing fee so they can build a better life.”
[…]
“None of us can overcome challenges in life without a support system. Every day, we all rely on friends and family, mentors and advocates. But sadly, many who have served their time, don’t have a community of support when they leave prison – making it that much harder.
“Through efforts like our Community Corrections Centers, we’ve made strides to help bridge the gap. But more is needed.
“That’s why I’m announcing an effort of the Governor’s Office, to engage the faith and non-profit communities in being advocates for our citizens leaving prison and transitioning back into society.
“And inside our prisons, we’ll be adding Employment Centers to help with things like building a resume and getting a job before the release date.”
[…]
“…It’s opportunities like this – where Corrections truly becomes Corrections. And we need more of them, so that over time, we can turn the tide and reduce our prison population, provide that second chance, while also protecting public safety.
“And public safety will always be our top priority.”
Read more HERE.
Construction of $20M Legacy charter school to begin in North Las Vegas
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Legacy Traditional School will begin construction Jan. 25 on a $20 million campus in North Las Vegas that’s scheduled to open for the 2017-18 school year.
When completed, the 80,717-square-foot, L-shaped building will be equipped with 41 classrooms, offices, a gym, playgrounds, cafeteria, athletic fields and more than 90 parking spaces, Aaron Hale, executive director and co-founder of Legacy Traditional Schools, said in a release issued Monday.
The two-story school will be built on a vacant 8.7-acre parcel on the northeast corner of La Madre Way and Valley Drive. The school is expected to house about 1,260 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, along with 80 to 90 employees, Hale said. The North Las Vegas City Council approved the plan in October.
This will be Legacy’s first campus in Nevada. The Arizona-based charter school operates 12 campuses. Enrollment is open through Friday, when a lottery will be held for grade levels that have more applicants than available seats.
Read more HERE.
CVS Health Offers Patients Lowest Cash Price in the Market for Generic Epinephrine Auto-injector to Treat Allergic Reactions
Generic epinephrine auto-injector from Impax Laboratories available at CVS Pharmacy at cash price 80% lower than EpiPen®
WOONSOCKET, R.I., Jan. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced that a low-cost epinephrine auto-injector option, the authorized generic for Adrenaclick manufactured by Impax Laboratories (IPXL), is available at all CVS Pharmacy locations at a cash price of $109.99 for a two-pack. This compares to a cash price of $649.99 for EpiPen and $339.99 for the authorized generic for EpiPen.
"As a health care company focused on helping people on their path to better health, we recognized that there was an urgent need in the marketplace for a less expensive epinephrine auto-injector for patients with life-threatening allergies," said Helena Foulkes, President of CVS Pharmacy. Over the past year, nearly 150,000 people signed on to a petition asking for a lower cost epinephrine autoinjector option and millions more were active in social media searching for a solution.
"In order to address this challenge," Foulkes continued, "we have partnered with Impax to purchase their epinephrine auto-injector at a price that is lower than similar brand or authorized generic epinephrine auto-injectors. We are passing these savings along to our customers and patients, making this product available at all CVS Pharmacy locations at the lowest cash price in the market."
The price of $109.99 for the authorized generic of Adrenaclick two-pack applies to both insured and cash-paying patients without insurance. This solution will be particularly beneficial for those insured patients who have consumer-directed health plans and have not yet met their deductible for the plan year. Additional cost reductions for the generic Adrenaclick are available for qualifying patients who use the coupon program offered through Impax which provides a benefit of $100 per pack.
"We are thrilled to work with CVS Health to increase access to our low-cost generic Adrenaclick epinephrine auto-injector," said Douglas Boothe, President, Generics Division, Impax Laboratories. "Families need and deserve an affordable option to treat severe allergies."
"We're encouraged to see national efforts to make epinephrine auto-injectors more affordable and more available to Americans across the country," said Cary Sennett, MD, PhD, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. "Partnerships that increase access to vital medications are key in helping those suffering from life-threatening allergies."
Read more HERE.
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In case you missed it . . .
Arizona news:
Arizona Food Prices Down Since Last Year
Retail construction reaches highest level since 2009 in Phoenix metro
Texting-while-driving ban again on Legislature’s agenda
Governor Ducey announces 'Infant at Work Program' expansion
Borrelli proposes making hemp legal in Arizona
State seeks to block in-state tuition for ‘dreamers’
10 intriguing Arizona bills ... so far
Ducey outlines ambitious and possibly costly agenda, with focus on education
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey wants to cut business regulations, ease licensing rules
Bankruptcies in Arizona improve again, but will trend last?
Higher minimum wage might mean less money for schools, lawmakers say
AZ lawmakers hacked, see message in Russian
National news:
Obama to sign bill allowing Mattis to serve as defense secretary
Full Senate passes waiver allowing Mattis to be defense secretary
Trump taps controversial Veterans Affairs undersecretary to head department
Cory Booker Lays Groundwork for 2020 Run at Jeff Sessions Hearings
Trump to resign from his company but won't fully divest
Senate GOP votes to keep earmark ban
Sen. Jeff Sessions defends his civil rights record, promises to prioritize law over his personal views
Trump, GOP at crossroads on repealing ObamaCare
How Trump’s cabinet picks compare to Obama and Bush’s nominees
House conservatives not ready to back Obamacare repeal process
Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner will become White House senior adviser
Law enforcement sees Sessions as 'police-first' AG
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