Policy Briefing Rick Rager Rajalakshmi Gurunathan

Goals of the Governor  Supporting Education  Building Arizona Economy  Homeland Security  Protect Arizona Children and Seniors  Preserve Natural Resources

Supporting Education Recommendations  K-12 all day kindergarten (admin. exploring private-public partnerships for funding).  Examination of Students FIRST including funding issues.  Spend more dollars in the K-12 classrooms. Increase current 58% to 62% - conduct a series of meetings regarding this. Accomplishments  Worked out compromise with key legislators that spared universities and state departments from further significant budget cuts for FY2003 (excl. Dept. of Transportation). Problems  Arizona ranks 50 th in classroom spending.  Arizona exceeds the nation in the growth rate of residents with college and advanced degrees. The state also exceeds the nation in the growth rate of residents who have not finished high school.

Building the Arizona Economy Recommendations  Developing Technology Industries.  International Trade (Mexico). Accomplishments  Established Governor’s Council on Innovation and Technology – January 29,2003.  Arizona Global Committee Meeting - March 26,2003 Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.  The International Trade and Investment Division of the Arizona Department of Commerce is seeking companies to participate in MatchMex Monterrey, an “individualized” trade mission to Monterrey, Mexico May 27-30,  Phoenix awarded $170Mil from Federal Funds for tax credits to induce business.  According to recent reports, jobs are expected to increase by 5% in early Job growth projections for ’03 and ’04 are positive in contrast to ’02. Problem  Arizona per capita income ranks 37 th among states.

Homeland Security Recommendations  Administration is creating a technology-driven Homeland Security Plan 1.Provide better training and equipment to first-responders to emergencies. 2.Ensure that state and local authorities are able to communicate among each other to coordinate their joint response. 3.Establish a public health information system to help citizens identify, avoid, and respond to bio-terrorism. Accomplishments  Appointed Chuck Blanchard as Arizona’s homeland Security Director on January 29,2003.  Met with Tom Ridge, Secretary of Homeland Security, In Washington D.C. on March 9,2003. Problem  U.S. AT WAR!!!

Protect Arizona Children and Seniors Recommendations  Children’s cabinet  Reorganize Child Protection Services  Addressed veterans and seniors issue – prescription drugs Accomplishment  DES director resignation. John Clayton replaced by William “Bill” Bell on March 7,2003

Preserve Natural Resources Accomplishment  Convened a meeting at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Institute on March 10,2003 in Prescott Problems  Extensive drought and attacks from bark beetle have severely damaged forests. This situation increases the risk of forest fires

General Recommendations 1.Oppose elimination of Office of Tourism(9 mil)-Recent reports: 5% increase in hotel occupancy rates in January/February 2003 due to Cactus League (Record Attendance) 2.Oppose elimination of Department of Commerce 3.Hire permanent DES director immediately and reorganize DES/CPS 4.Preserve funding for all three state universities 5.Greater partnering between government/private sector in technology development (Governor’s Counsel, GITA, Arizona Tech Council, etc.) 6.Continue to seek diversified economy 7.“Hold” on prescription drugs 8.“Hold” on all-day kindergarten 9.Budget…Budget…Budget??? Need to balance $1 Billion deficit