PHOENIX – Senator Sonny Borelli defended $260 million set aside for a one-time tax cut in Arizona’s $17.8 billion budget proposal.
At a news conference Monday, Borelli defended budget negotiations that included an allocation for an Arizona lawmaker’s hometown pet project. Included in the budget was $35.5 million for the construction of his second bridge to the island of Lake Havasu City.
Borrelli insisted that some of the surplus money be used for purposes other than cutting taxes.
“Rural Arizona was always ignored,” he told the Capitol Media Service after the press conference.
And Mr Borrelli said having a second bridge across the Channel to the island – built to provide an actual crossing for London Bridge – was a matter of public safety.
Nor did he apologize for his quota, which he said he shared with other district councilors.
“We have taken care of our district,” said Borrelli. “That’s why they sent me here.”
He did not dispute that under normal circumstances, funding priorities for road projects would be determined by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Constantly updated, he has a five-year plan to fund needs based on priorities. Leaving the decision to ADOT made Borelli noticeably colder.
“So state agencies, bureaucrats, have more power to decide how and how that money is spent than state legislatures?” he said.
Borrelli wasn’t the only one to ask for a share of the surplus, but he was the only one to appear at Senator Jake Hoffman’s press conference and take credit for the kickback, or at least the balance to be handed over after the kickback. rice field. Some funded the project.
And they are scattered all over the state.
Of the 44 budget, $1.8 million is given to the City of Sierra Vista for improvements to Theater Drive. Grove will receive $3.5 million to build sidewalks along Jessie Hayes Road and Six Shooter Canyon Road. And Tucson was paid $15 million to improve the Drexel Road Bridge.
Other funds will be used for future projects.
In the budget, Pinal County has spent $9.2 million on the design and engineering of the new East-West Corridor. In addition, he plans to donate $10 million to Marana for the design of a transportation interchange between Interstate 10 and Cortaro Road. In addition, $250,000 has been donated to Cave Creek to consider increasing the number of lanes along Cave Creek Road.
Not all landmarks are on the road.
Chandler, Tucson and Mesa Police Departments have donated $750,000 to pilot programs for the use of pepper balls. Peoria police will receive $3.5 million for the helicopter. And Mojave County is seeking $500,000 to purchase a sheriff’s office vehicle.
In addition, nonprofits are participating in the effort, including a donation of $15.3 million to volunteer groups that run rodeos at the Yavapai County fairgrounds.
