Governing Arizona Consensus Statement

Governing Arizona

Putting the Challenges Into Perspective
November 17, 2009

Consensus Statement

One hundred Arizonans including State Legislators, State Executives, local government officials, business, and other leaders took part in the Governing Arizona Forum on November 17th. We appreciate the assistance of Arizona Town Hall in creating this consensus statement that reflects the discussions and ideas developed by the forum's participants:


Arizonans need to recognize the immediate fiscal crisis, which will last beyond the current budget shortfall, and must identify and implement both short term and long term resolutions. Arizona must implement immediate changes but yet cannot sacrifice long term goals for short term expediency.

Positive relationships, developed through forums and other education opportunities, among the elected and non-elected, provide the information and credibility upon which bi-partisan solutions can be created. Regardless of which party or fiscal philosophy controls the process, resistance to change and adversarial environments need to be replaced by inclusionary statesmanship that is rewarded by voters. Elected officials need the courage to make difficult decisions and not put such decisions directly to the voters.

Independent professionals should be engaged to evaluate proposals and written long range plans should be drafted. Decision makers need data about the volatility of projected revenue sources, the impact of new taxes on investment and accurate comparisons to other states.

Arizona has a spending and revenue problem. To address spending issues, needs and wants should first be identified so consensus about priorities can be established. Spending should not be directly tied to cyclical revenue streams. Most believed that targeted spending cuts need to be made.

To resolve the long term revenue problem, Arizona must implement a balanced, stable and transparent tax structure. A broader base for taxation, possibly including taxation of services, should be proposed. Most believed a tax increase must be implemented to resolve the short term deficit.