PHOENIX (AP) - Gov. Doug Ducey is asking Republican lawmakers for the power to unilaterally make mid-year budget cuts when unexpected revenue shortfalls arise.
The Arizona Capitol Times reports (http://bit.ly/1P3ZGHm) that GOP legislators are mulling Ducey's request for authority to make cuts when the Legislature is out of session.
The governor's office says governors in at least 30 other states already have such authority.
Ducey spokesman Daniel Scarpinato says the idea is to ensure a balanced budget if revenue comes up too short.
But some legislators such as Sen. Debbie Lesko of Peoria oppose the idea.
Lesko says Ducey already has other cost-cutting measures that he can implement such as hiring freezes.
Otherwise, the governor should call lawmakers back into session.
Others worry about what future governors would do with that power.
Posted at 11:38 AM, Jan 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-31 09:38:10-05
Associated Press 2016
