Arizona Considers Selling Capitol Buildings

Things are so bad in Arizona that legislators are considering selling the House and Senate buildings where they've met and worked for more than 50 years. Dozens of other state properties may also be sold. The plan is to sell the properties and then lease them back over several years before assuming ownership again. "We've mortgaged the legislative halls," said an exasperated state Rep. Steve Yarbrough, a Chandler Republican. "That just tells you how extraordinary the times are. To me, it's something we're going to have to do no matter how much we find it undesirable." I bet they could get a great price on the Grand Canyon.

Comments

Re:No, they don't need to raise taxes..

[amicusNYCL]

Not that this will explain all of our problems (due to the fact that there's not only one reason), but just like California we're a major destination for illegal immigrants which send their children to schools, get healthcare, require law enforcement and emergency services, use water and power, etc. They don't pay any taxes.

It's no more fair to say that our problems are entirely due to theft or corruption then it is to say that our problems are entirely due to immigration.

Personally, other than maybe someone like Joe Arpaio and his office (which would not be capable of looting our treasury for tens of billions), I'm not seeing a lot of corruption in this state. Things run pretty smoothly.

Dude, the populaton rose 77% in 20 years

[Anonymous Coward]

Between 1990 and 2000, Arizona's population grew from 3,665,228 to 5,130,632 (40% Increase)
Between 2000 and 2008, Arizona's population grew from 5,130,632 to 6,500,180 (27% increase, or 77% relative to 1990)

Consider also the fact, that most of the people moving to Arizona are going into retirement, and thus will very likely need medical attention/help a couple of years _after_ moving there. Add to that, that the housing boom probably lead to considerable urban sprawl, thus requiring large investments into infrastructure and making this infrastructure harder to maintain.

That does make the budget increase much more understandable. Even before I have looked into matters such as one-time effects that might have lowered the state budget in 2000. Or taken inflation into account. Or...

But just keep spouting the only idea you republicans have left...

Re:You're stupid!

[A_linux_covert]

Dude, it has been limited, the effects have just been hidden until now by borrowing. This is Reagan's reward to all of the Right thinking knuckleheads heads. Welcome to a the third world. Taxes are the price of civilization.

Re:So then you've read Section 83 of Title 26?

[spun]

Things don't necessarily mean what you think they mean, bucky. Your interpretation is just plain whacked. Do NOT attempt to use what you've 'learned' from those books you got from the militia.

And there you go, making up shit

[spun]

You can blather on about this all you like, quoting irrelevant shit you don't understand, but it means fuck-all, no one sane believes you, and your theories are worthless. I had a good friend who got seriously burned by this weak ass shit and is now in jail, which is where you will go if you think this crap will get you anywhere in a court of law. So shut up and pay your fucking taxes, you dig it?