OPINION: Dems Want GOP, Brewer to help state

by David Lujan, Kyrsten Sinema and Chad Campbell
Arizona Republic
10.6.09

In its Sept. 29 editorial, "Agencies should not be pawns," The Arizona Republic is absolutely right that it's crazy to hurt businesses, taxpayers and homeowners during these tough economic times.
But that's what will happen if the infighting between Republican lawmakers and Republican Gov. Jan Brewer doesn't stop.

A lack of leadership and the failure to complete a budget have left businesses without a functioning Arizona Corporation Commission, which virtually will halt creation of new businesses and jobs for our state.

Arizona's classrooms are bearing the burden of the worst state deficit of our lifetime, while the Department of Revenue lacks enough funding to fully do its job and collect taxes owed to help balance the shortfall.

Homeowners aren't being reimbursed for contractors' defective or incomplete work, the job of the Registrar of Contractors, which also hurts from lack of staff.

Once again, Brewer and Republican lawmakers have failed to employ common sense.

Common sense is for government to meet its end of the deal so businesses can thrive in Arizona and we can jump-start our economy for all families.

Common sense is to pay down our own state debt and put the money to work in areas of government that will rein in more returns and build a stronger Arizona.

Brewer needs to call a special session now to address the Corporation Commission, Department of Revenue and Registrar of Contractor issues and do the hard work of creating a bipartisan solution to our state's open economic wounds.

These agencies shouldn't be a political football in what Brewer and Republicans have turned into a budget game.

Democrats have been ready and willing to work in a bipartisan way for nine months to get the job done and avert a crisis like this, but Republicans have refused. Instead, they chose to fight amongst themselves.

We set aside our differences at the beginning of the year for the greater good of Arizona because we knew that's what it would take turn our economy around.

We are still waiting for Republicans to do the same.

David Lujan is House Democratic leader; Kyrsten Sinema is assistant House Democratic leader; and Chad Campbell is House Democratic whip.