Government

Brewer outlines lofty goals, offers few details

Jan 4, 2011

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In her inauguration speech as the 22nd governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer promised to give Arizona a balanced budget, a self-sustaining commerce authority, a safe and secure border and a solar industry that was the envy of the world.

Brewer said, “We will keep faith with the people who have placed their sacred trust in us,” but she provided few details about how she plans to accomplish her ambitious goals.

She criticized her predecessor, Governor Janet Napolitano, who resigned to become Secretary of Homeland Security in the Obama administration, allowing Brewer to move up from her position as Arizona Secretary of State to finish the final two years of Napolitano’s term.

“When I inherited this great ship it was poorly commanded, leaking and sinking fast,” she said.

A $5 billion deficit, an escalating unemployment rate, a collapsed housing market and a slew of unfunded federal mandates were some of the problems Brewer said she inherited.

To address these issues Brewer said she made difficult decisions for the betterment of the state.

“I wasn’t popular at the time, but I saw what needed to be done and did it,” she said.

Accomplishments Brewer touted included cutting state spending, creating a state commerce authority, introducing education reforms and attracting $1 billion in new capital investment.

Despite the governors pronounced accomplishments the state still faces an $825 million revenue shortfall in the current fiscal year’s budget and a projected $1.4 billion gap in the next budget.

Brewer indicated there will have to be additional cuts to deal with the deficit and said specifics for these cuts will be released in her budget proposal Jan. 14.

“I’m honored to have been chosen to lead Arizona for the next four years, and I intend to lead with the mandate I’ve been given by the people,” Brewer said. “I’ll continue with a commonsense government that is ever mindful of what individual freedom is.”

Newly-elected District 23 State Senator Steve Smith was at the ceremony, but said he missed the seven-minute speech by the governor.

“I have talked with her in the past and we are in agreement that we need to trim the fat and stretch the dollar.” Smith said. “It is no mystery that Arizona is broke.”