Governor's Legislating Proposals Presented

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

July 02, 2008

At the start of 2008, in her annual State of the State address, Governor Napolitano presented a comprehensive set of proposals to guide Arizona through this legislative session and keep the state’s forward momentum energized. The agenda has been a success.

The Governor’s recommendations fell into five major categories: Education, Economic Prosperity, Public Safety, Transportation and Growth, and Health Care.

Education

Proposal Results Math and Science Education • $2.5 million in additional funding for math and science achievement grants. Increase the number of Bachelor’s degrees and stimulate the economy • $1 billion university economic stimulus package that will boost the economy two ways: allowing near-term construction at state universities and, long-term, increase the number of qualified graduates in the Arizona job market. Centennial Scholars • Using existing funds, the Arizona Board of Regents will begin this program for the next school year. Voluntary full-day kindergarten • VFDK continues in Arizona, and, for the first time, the budget includes capital funding for Kindergarten classrooms.

Economic Prosperity

Biomedical Campus • The university economic stimulus package contains $470 million to complete the Phoenix biomedical campus. Homebuyer’s Bill of Rights • The HBOR Web site has received more than 27,000 hits since its start in January ’08. 1 Loan Officer Licensure • Enacted as part of the FY 2009 budget. University Economic Stimulus Package • $1 billion university economic stimulus package that will boost the economy two ways: allowing near-term construction at state universities and, long-term, increase the number of qualified graduates in the Arizona job market. Improved infrastructure at international ports of entry • A 15-year planning strategy for updating Arizona’s POEs has been created.

Public Safety

Immigration: enact “fixes” to the employer sanctions law

• HB 2745 has been signed into law.

CPS reforms

• The Governor signed four bills that will make CPS operations more transparent. CPS workers • The FY 09 budget includes more than $5 million for 80+ new CPS workers. Redirection of substance abuse treatment dollars to CPS clients • All state agencies must submit by June 30 their actions taken to reprioritize substance abuse dollars so treatment goes first to CPS families. • Beginning in July 08, contracts with the RHBAs will reflect CPS treatment prioritization. Focus law enforcement to attack smuggling drop houses • HB 2842 authorized tools that allow law enforcement to better target drop houses. • Since January, DPS gang enforcement units have located more that 40 drop houses and arrested nearly 100 smugglers. 2 Arizona Counter Terrorism Intelligence Center (ACTIC) • Threatened by lack of resources, the final budget includes funds to keep ACTIC working at full speed. “3 in 1” enhanced Arizona driver’s license • Plans are in place to re-introduce the “3-in-1” legislation next year; in the meantime, design work continues.

Immigration: sustain pressure on street gangs and criminal organizations that smuggle drugs and human beings Ongoing initiatives include: • GIITEM AND IIMPACT task forces • Terrorism Liaison Program (TLO) • Cross-training of DPS officers (287g) • Border Enforcement Security Taskforce • License Plate Readers • Damming warrants Transportation and Growth Send a Statewide Transportation Plan to the Ballot • The TIME initiative is on track to be filed in time to appear on the November ballot. Send State Trust Land Reform to the Ballot • The “Conserving Arizona’s Land & Water” initiative is on track to be filed in time to appear on the November ballot. Health Care Expand Insurance Coverage for Young Adults • Administrative rule that would allow state employees to continue to cover young adult children at cost is pending approval. Health Care Professionals in Underserved Areas • $500,000 in additional funds for this program. Veterans Benefit Counselors • Nine more counselors will be added by the end of the year, for a total of 45 located across the state.