Friends,

Late Friday afternoon, the governor vetoed a measure that would help poor and middle class children receive a quality education via corporate tuition tax breaks.  This was part of an early May compromise between the Governor and Republican legislators on key educational issues.  In return for the Governor’s support of this pro-education measure, Republicans agreed to her demands to spend more money on All-Day Kindergarten and the University of Arizona medical school. 

Despite the apparent agreement, Napolitano vetoed the corporate tuition tax breaks bill, while signing All-Day K and the medical school bills.  She claimed there never was an official deal. 

“This smacks of pure Clintonism,” said Chad Kirkpatrick, president of the Arizona Federation of Taxpayers.  “Instead of arguing what the definition of ‘is’ is, Napolitano is arguing what the definition of ‘deal’ is.”

The typically mild-mannered House Speaker Jim Weiers put it bluntly: “The governor lied to me.”

Senate Finance Chairman Dean Martin also had choice words on the veto.  “It’s either her way or the Piestewa Peak Parkway.  This is what you get with a trial lawyer as Governor; they will always find a way to weasel out of any agreement that does not serve their special interests.” 

Representative Russell Pearce summed up the feelings of many moderate and conservative legislators.  “Governor Napolitano apparently does not know the meaning of "Contract" or "I promise."  Apparently her word is not her bond and any future negotiations will be very difficult when you have to negotiate with someone you cannot trust to be honest in their dealings. 

“Governor Napolitano agreed to this budget that had her top priorities in it (which we had to swallow very hard), and this budget had a couple of very important issues for the Majority in the legislature that she agreed to.” 

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