As reprinted from 03/19/2008
Treasurer says AZ is in budget crisis; governor fires back
State Treasurer Dean Martin says a budget fix is needed to avoid a crisis that could see the state general fund running out of spendable cash as soon as late April.
"We are just trying to tell the leaders, the account holders, you've got a problem," he told ABC15.
Martin said the state spends $29 million a , a rate of spending over the $10.6 billion budget that's short a projected $1.2 billion.
He said the state has enough money for three more state paychecks and one more monthly payment to school districts. The fiscal year ends June 30.
Gov. Janet Napolitano bristled at Martin's comments and disputed his assertion that her agencies haven't cut spending.
In response, Martin told ABC15, "Don't kill the messenger, just because you don't like the message."
She also called him a "sideplayer" because his office doesn't have access to detailed spending information.
ABC15.com staff