When I was in the legislature, I served as House Parliamentarian. One time I wanted to offer and amendment to a bill and I wasn't sure that it was germane. I went downstairs, crossed the middle wall of division and crept into the inner court to the Rules office where Leland Makemson was hunched over a desk engrossing bills by hand as he had done since approximately statehood.
I went through the reasons why I thought my amendment was within the same subject matter as the underlying bill and he wasn't buying it. Having failed to convince him that my amendment was germane, I asked him what I should do. He turned around and with a broad gesture encompassing all the statute books on the shelf behind him said. "Mr. Patterson, within these books you will find hundreds of amendments that were not germane...if no one objects...it's germane."
That was an important lesson. The legislature only has to follow the rules if no one objects. That's why it's August 12th and the state can operate without a budget.
Article 9 of the state Constitution has a rather wordy requirement about an "accurate statement of receipts and expenditures..." that goes something like this...
Section 4. The fiscal year shall commence on the first day of July in each year. An accurate statement of the receipts and expenditures of the public money shall be published annually, in such manner as shall be provided by law. Whenever the expenses of any fiscal year shall exceed the income, the legislature may provide for levying a tax for the ensuing fiscal year sufficient, with other sources of income, to pay the deficiency, as well as the estimated expenses of the ensuing fiscal year.
Of course, there's a short hand term for the requirement. The legislature must present a balanced budget by the beginning of the fiscal year.
That is...unless no one objects.
Leland could have just told you 31-16 Mr. Patterson. Rc
Posted by: Rick Collins | August 12, 2009 at 03:33 PM
I think you meant 31, 16 and 1....especially in this case.
Posted by: Name2 | August 12, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Gee, at this point, you just made the entire Legislative leadership look unconstitutional.
Just like this: http://www.supreme.state.az.us/opin/pdf2009/CV090168SA.pdf
If you can't cut enough, then you have to raise taxes. So just get on with cuts and taxes.
Why not cut credits too?
Enough of higher taxes for folks who don't send their kids to fancy private schools with tax credit money from me!!!
You want to be real republicans, then act like Ronald Reagan and do what is necessary to govern!!!
At this point, the Republican party will get what it deserves at the 2010 election here in Arizona, that is oblivion.
Where is Ron Gould coming up with a bill to kill all the tax credits we have? That's right- kill them all.
At least then I would be happier about higher taxes, because everyone would pay them!!!
Posted by: Start playing for real, instead of for Grover! | August 13, 2009 at 08:52 PM