Events

Make your voice heard on state budget priorities

Think Arizona spends too much on prisons? 

Now is your chance to be heard!!

After banning public testimony during departmental budget hearings, the House Appropriations Committee has decided to hold a “Budget Conversation Tour,” to solicit public input on the state budget.

Gov. Ducey has stated that he wants to reduce prison populations, but his budget recommendation proposed:

  • $17.6 million for 1,000 new private prison beds.That is more than 10 times the amount he wants to spend on the long-term, sustainable solutions to reducing our prison population.
  • Authorization for the Department of Corrections to bid out a new contract for ANOTHER 2,500 beds, with a projected price tag of over $60 million per year.

It is vital to attend these hearings and let Arizona legislators know NO MORE PRISON BEDS IN ARIZONA!  REFORM IS THE KEY!

UPCOMING TOWN HALLS:

GILBERT: Saturday, February 20, 10:00 AM, St. Xavier University, 92 W. Vaughn Ave.

GLENDALE: Saturday, February 20, 1:00 PM, Glendale City Council, 5850 W. Glendale Ave.

TUCSON: Saturday, March 5, 10:00 AM,Tentative: 1423 E. University Blvd., on the U of A campus

YUMA: Saturday, March 19, 10:00 AM, location TBA

BACKGROUND

  • Arizona spends over $1 billion on prisons
  • Corrections is the 3rd largest state agency budget, absorbing 11% of the state General Fund
  • This year, AZ will spend 60% more on prisons than higher education
  • Arizona’s recidivism rate is estimated at anywhere from 45-75%

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