Debbie Lesko - State Representative

I recently watched a re-run of the Saturday Night Live spoof where Steve Martin and his character wife are reading a pamphlet entitled “Don’t buy stuff you can’t afford.” The couple are so used to being in debt that this simple concept completely eludes them. The comedy is hilarious because unfortunately it’s true. Just like individuals, the government has gone on a spending spree. National debt has reached $11.5 trillion and is expanding by $1 trillion every year. Even if paid off today, each citizen (including kids) would have to chip in $38,000. Similarly our state is over $3 billion short and we just learned that our state has spent $100 million more than last year at this same time. This insanity has got to stop. I believe there are some people in government addicted to OPM (Other People’s Money). They don’t understand that the dollars the government is spending is your money, not theirs. I’m one of your state legislators who believe we need to live within our means and stop spending more than we have coming in. The concept is simple, but just like the spoof on Saturday Night Live not all people seem to get it.

I’ve had a demanding, but rewarding first legislative session. I’ve introduced and co-sponsored important legislation, I’ve voted for and against other legislation, I’ve worked to help balance our state budget, and I’ve met and helped many constituents that live in our great community. I serve as Vice Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and serve on the Public Employee Retirement Committee and the Ethics Committee.

One of the most important duties this year has been balancing our state budget. The legislature balanced the 2009 budget in January and then, in June, balanced the 2010 budget twice-both times without a tax increase. We continue to work with the Governor to reach a compromise budget that she will sign. On July 31st House and Senate leadership reached a budget agreement with the Governor that was approved by the House, and as of July 31st was one vote short in the Senate. We will resume negotiations this week.

One of my next goals is to form a task force comprised of republican and democrat legislators, citizens, and state employees to work on a way to limit state welfare and health assistance to only those people who really need help and to only legal U.S. citizens. If you have suggestions or know of specific violations, please contact me at: 602-926-5413 or DLesko@azleg.gov I certainly could use your help.

I also want to continue to meet and update people throughout our legislative district.
If you’d like me to attend your event or come down to the Capitol to meet with me or get a tour, please contact me. Again, my number is 602-926-5413, my email is DLesko@azleg.gov and my website is: www.DebbieLesko.com

I really enjoy my job. At times it’s very challenging, but it sure is rewarding. I want to thank all of you again for giving me this opportunity. Working together I truly believe we can make a difference!

By State Representative Debbie Lesko
August 2, 2009

The legislature passed a balanced budget without a tax increase twice. Once on June 4th, then again on June 30th.

The June 4th budget bill was not transmitted to the Governor because she said she would veto it, so the legislature changed portions of the bill at the Governor’s request and passed another balanced budget without a tax increase on June 30th. The Governor vetoed it because it did not include the sales tax increase she requested.

It has become abundantly clear that the Governor will veto any budget bill without a referral to the ballot of a sales tax increase, something most Republicans, including myself, oppose.

On July 29th-31st Republican leadership struck a deal with the Governor. It is a deal that will be tax revenue neutral after approximately 4 years and then become a tax cut.

DETAILS OF THE LATEST BUDGET PROPOSAL:

In exchange for asking the voters if they want to increase sales taxes by 1 cent in year one and year two and ½ cent in year three, the following will take place:

1. Permanent property tax cuts of $250 million/year whether the voters approve the sales tax increase or not.
2. Permanent individual income tax cuts of $200 million/year starting in 2011, whether the voters approve the sales tax increase or not. The percentage cut will be the same over all income brackets.
3. Permanent corporate income tax cuts of $200 million/year starting in 2011, whether the voters approve the sales tax increase or not.
4. Cap state spending at the 2009 budget level ($10.2 Billion) for 3 years.
5. Ask the voters if they will temporarily suspend Proposition 105 for 3 years, so that some “auto-pilot” increases in state spending approved by prior voter propositions can be suspended temporarily.
6. Make permanent state spending cuts of $580 million, in addition to the roughly $500 million in permanent spending cuts made in January for the 2009 budget.

This budget plan was passed out of the House on July 31st and is one vote short in the Senate as of July 31st.

A vast majority of Republicans do not want to ask the voters to increase sales taxes. It is against what we believe in. However, since the Governor has made it abundantly clear that she will veto ANY budget without asking the voters for a sales tax increase, the choice was accept this deal, settle for a worse deal later, or let the state run out of money so that schools and everything else suffers. We’ll be back to work again next week.