First time ever we are demolishing unneeded state buildings
Today, a lot is different in Arizona. We have lived within our means: We have more citizens, our budget is balanced, our economy is roaring and our government is smaller and more efficient than it's ever been.
In fact, we believe so strongly in shrinking government that for the first time ever we are demolishing unneeded state buildings, on track to reduce our footprint by nearly 750,000 square feet since we got here.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
, Jan 10, 2022
Allow debts to become liens on home's equity
HB2617: A civil judgment shall become a lien on the real property of the judgment debtor, including the judgment debtor's homestead property.
Analysis by ABC-15, June 08, 2021: HB 2617 focuses on how debt collectors can place liens on
your home in order to recoup what you might owe. On the surface, [our expert] Bankruptcy Attorney says it looks like a good thing for homeowners--raising the amount of money that is supposed to be protected from debt collectors from $150,000 to
$250,000. "The problem is, is that it gutted the protections that the homestead exemption previously provided, past and future recorded judgments now attach to any equity in a person's residence," said [the expert].
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 52-0-8 on Mar/1/21; Passed Senate 18-12-0 on May/10/21; Signed by Governor Doug Ducey on May/19/21.
Problem is over-spending; so solution isn't more spending
We can't do it without fiscal responsibility. In real life, when families or businesses take stock of how they're doing, the answer has a lot to do with the state of their finances. Well, it works the same in government.
And turning to our state's checkbook, we start with the number one billion. In dollars, that would be the difference between spending and revenue if we were to do nothing about it these next two years.
Now maybe I'm of the old school of economics, but this strikes me as a problem. And I am just not persuaded by appeals to raise taxes so that we can spend more. I look at it this way:
If the problem is spending more than we have, the solution cannot be even more spending. Instead of demanding more revenue from the people, I suggest we demand more fiscal responsibility from our government.
We must hold state spending increases below the rates of inflation and population growth except in real emergencies. I will sign into law--without new taxes--a balanced budget every year that I serve as governor, and veto any bill that violates either of
these commitments.
The requirements we impose on banks that do business with the state favor "Too-Big-To-Fail" banks, none of which are located here in Arizona. We have many fine local banks that would be capable of managing large state accounts.
Let's give them the chance to compete and grow in Arizona!
Ask small businesspeople what makes their lives difficult, and--after taxes--they inevitably say it's the cost and uncertainty of complying with so many regulations. We need a government-wide
review of regulations, including quantifying the costs of new rules on Arizona employers. By executive action I will eliminate bureaucratic regulations that are unreasonable and unfair to business owners and employees.