Good quote from Ron Gould, too:

The package given preliminary Senate approval on Wednesday also makes changes in how many state agencies operate, including giving several of them the power to hike fees to cover their costs rather than rely on general tax revenues. That saves the state close to another $160 million.

That plan drew fire from several GOP lawmakers.

"This is a de facto tax increase on business," said Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City. "We're sending a message to Arizona's businesses that we can't balance our budget by controlling spending, so we're going to allow our department agency heads to raise your fee for your regulation."

Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-Phoenix, said the fee hikes are necessary because lawmakers have slashed so much in state funding that the agencies are unable to do their jobs.

But Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake, said that presumes that everything the agencies are doing is necessary.

"Maybe we need to some back on some of these regulations so it doesn't cost so much," she said.

Howie Fischer's whole article is here:

http://www.yumasun.com/news/spending-54302-vote-cut.html