GPEC to hold community conversation on state budget crisis, Tempe, April 9

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An event bringing officials and citizens together to address Arizona’s economic state:

  • Thursday, April 9, 2009
  • 9 – 11 a.m. (Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.)
  • Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ

Arizona’s fiscal 2009 budget faced the largest deficit in the country and the deficit is expected to nearly double next year, reaching $3 billion. The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) is determined to address this by convening Arizona’s business, education and government leaders, and elected officials for a two-hour event that will include:

  1. Presentation by Governor Brewer’s top advisors on current budget situation and budget recommendations.
  2. Presentation by GPEC on improving Arizona’s economic competitiveness.
  3. Q&A

Featuring:

  • Eileen Klein, Director, State Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting
  • Tom Manos, Governor’s Chief Budget Advisor
  • Michael Bidwill, President, Arizona Cardinals and GPEC Chair
  • Barry Broome, President/CEO, GPEC

RSVP by email or call 602-262-8632.

Insufficient Funds: Jerome’s Sullivan Building stabilization in limbo after Arizona State Parks grant “swept”

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Mary Wills and Sally Dryer with "updated" check from Arizona State Parks (photo: Jon Pelletier)

[Source: Jon Hutchinson, Verde Independent] — Two Jerome women have operated a Jerome shop for 20 years.  In recent years, they bought the historic Jerome building they occupy in order to restore it and then won a state grant make that happen. That was a thrilling day. Today, that grant is biting back and threatening their livelihood.  Mary Wills and Sally Dryer are now wondering how the State Parks Department could “raid” the voter-approved Arizona Heritage Fund to pay salaries instead of the preservation for which the Heritage fund is intended.

The $150,000 grant they were awarded in 2007 has been cancelled with $112,930.27 left unspent. The grant was cancelled the same day the Jerome State Park was closed.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Fight to reopen Arizona’s Tonto Natural Bridge State Park continues

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Tonto Natural Bridge (Photo: Payson Roundup)

[Source: Pete Aleshire, Payson Roundup] — Residents of the Rim Country continue to fight to keep the state from making Tonto Natural Bridge another casualty of the budget crisis.  Rim Country officials hope they can win a commitment to reopen Tonto Natural Bridge State Park as early as June at an April 3 Arizona State Parks Board meeting in the Valley.

In addition, local leaders hope that a recently appointed task force studying the long-term future of the state’s battered system of 28 parks will explore creative ways to bolster the region’s best-known tourist draw.  That task force will consider public-private partnerships and joint operating agreements as a way to keep parks open.  “I’m optimistic, but we’ve got to keep the pressure on them,” said Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce Manager John Stanton, following two meetings involving top state park officials, Rim Country leaders and local state lawmakers.   [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Viewpoint: Arizona’s state parks eyed by panel

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[Source: Editorial Board, Tucson Citizen] — A task force will review our state parks system and its challenges, after several parks were temporarily closed.  We’re glad that Gov. Jan Brewer is assembling the panel, particularly if it can quantify the backlog of parks maintenance and rehabilitation needs.

Some of the prettiest state parks anywhere are in Arizona.  And though the current recession precludes plans for improvements anytime soon, all Arizonans would benefit from better caretaking of our prized state spots once the recession has passed and a more prosperous era returns.  Arizona parks, alas, have suffered a fate similar to that of national parks: too little money for maintenance, programs, and staff.  Unless the parks are well-funded, they can’t bring in funds — a Catch-22 that should be unsnarled when money permits.  Until then, we’re glad Brewer’s panel will assemble the data needed so that once funds become available, parks can be rehabilitated anew.