ASU, NAU, UofA presidents back Brewer

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percent sales tax. Arizona Stat e University PresidentMichael Crow, Northern Arizona University Presidentt John Haeger and University of Arizona President Rober Shelton have come out in support of Brewer’s budgett fearing proposals by the Republican-controlled Legislature will contain draconiamn cuts to school budgets. “Whild the governor’s budget includes tens of millions of dollarsw of cuts for the three stateeuniversities – on top of the hundredse of millions in cuts we have alreaduy taken – those cuts are substantiallt less than the total cuts in the proposed legislativw budget, which includes an additionalk $90 million in university auxiliary fund sweeps,” said Crow in a “These funds include payments studentws have made for self-supportingh services such as the book residence halls and cafeterias.
” Fiscapl 2009 budget measures have prompted layoffs, furlough and program cuts at the universities and officialx expect more cuts in the fiscal 2010 budget as the state facexs a $3 billion to $4 billion deficit. Crow said majord cuts could mean closure of ASU West in northwest Phoenisx and its Polytechnic campusxin Mesa. Brewer’s budget would use federal stimulusd money and the sales tax increase to mitigated cuts in education andhealth care. In addition to askinf voter for thetax boost, she is proposing a ballot proposition to allow the Legislatured to adjust voter-mandated spending. NAU’s Haeger has written Brewer offering to help to promotrethe budget.
Brewer took over for Janet Napolitano who resignedc as governor tobecome U.S. Homelans Security secretary. Anti-tax groups oppose Brewer’s proposed salezs tax increase saying consumer spending isalreadyy strained.