This is response to an article posted today on AZCENTRAL.COM reference the Republican Plan to present two budget proposals-Titled What If? The budget plan is twofold-one if the public does not pass the Governor's request for a sales tax increase-and if it does not pass-what will happen and a need for another special session: Please go to AzCentral.Com to view the Article:

My Response:
Ok- Now it is becoming apparent--identify those programs which the Arizona Public Does Love and Cherish (all-day kindergarten, abolishing the KidsCare health care program, closing most state parks and eliminating the Juvenile Corrections Department) and if the Special Tax is not voted in-POOF-They will be gone.

PLEEEEAAAASE give the Arizona Taxpayer more cerebral credit then is being given to them!!! We do see this charade. Misleading data from the Governor's Budget Office personnel-presumed experts who tout presumed research findings to futher their agendas and We The Arizona Tax Payer is presumed to fall for this???? Come On!!!!

The real issue is a need for substantial process improvements and tough legilsative improvements in how Arizona does business. Last year we layed off a substantial number of employees at the Department of Revenue-and now we (the State) are chanllenged in collecting Revenues--DAH!!!. Solution-- this year -hire more Department of Revenue Personnel in this years Governor's Budget Office Proposal. Why did we lay them off in the first place????
THIS IS ONLY A PIECE OF THE PIE.

NOOOOOOOOO--do not threaten us with two options. Get it fixed right--beyond immediate knee jerk reactions- and look to the future. Do the right thing once--maybe look at that anonymous proposal for fixing thie government revenue streams and act without fear of political reprucssions because things were done at perceived political ramifications as opposed to placate a few radical voices.

I trust our Legisislators will do the right thing the first time-instead of prolonging the agony and using both agencies and programs as hostage for agendas.
Respectufully,

By Jim Clancy
There should be 700 plus comments on this blog-about the need to keep ADJC alive. Where are they?? Come on-Juvenile Correction Professionals- Youth Correction Officers to Leadership Positions within ADJC--WHERE ARE YOUR COMMENTS AND OPIONIONS????!!!!

Do you really realize what is happening?? The Governor is ready to do away with everything that YOU ALL have worked so hard on. That is being the best in the Juvenile Correction Industry -as it pertains to impacting the State's most challenging youth in a positive manner.

I am disappointed that there are not 700 plus comments and support for the continuation of such an organization that YOU ALL HAVE WORKED SO HARD ON!!!!!

Do you all realize that it only takes a couple 100 votes to elect a State Senator and/or Representative AND EVEN GOVERNOR?????

Get off the stick and become involved!!!!! AZCOPS has done the Agency a great service-by rallying all of us to STAND UP- and be vocal!!!
Please get involved--YOUR VOICE DOES COUNT!!!!!

Otherwise--all the hard work that all of you have done for the last years will come to naught.

ADJC personnel have overcome so many obstacles this last Five years- this should be a push over--but it is understood that We All Have Been Fighting so many battles this last Five Years. And Everyone of the challenges (CRIPA-Az Audit General Audit)- We have Overcome!!!

Don't Give Up!!! We are all so quick to continue the professional and be proud to be the 'Best Practioners' of Juvenile Justice.

We will not go quietly into the night--we will --as brothers and sisters- we will let the Legislators know-that we are the best answer for the 10% of the most challenging youth.

GET INVOLVED- YOUR VOICE DOES COUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By CAM
ADJC Director Branham has already made numerous cost cutting changes.He shut down an entire institution in Buckeye, transferred juveniles to the remaining three facilities. He laid off hundreds of dedicated staff,who have sacrificed their careers. Mr. Branham instituted pay cuts for the highest paid employees,including himself,as well as targeted lay offs of other employees. He instituted creative, cost effective parole initiatives. Mr. Branham reduced the number of housing units, in still another effort to assist the Gov. with the budget.

What thanks does he get?
CLOSE ADJC. This agency and their employees have given their fair share. No more!

By Larry A. Lopez
AZCOPS President

From the Legislature to counties, cities and towns across Arizona, elected officials are taking law enforcement officers off the street in response to mounting budget deficits.

At a time when crime is soaring in our state, the situation is quickly becoming desperate. In cities and counties where officer staffing levels were inadequate BEFORE the fiscal meltdown, officers now find themselves at greater risk than ever before. And, the comunities they serve are no longer as protected as they once were.

Protecting the public should always be the top priority of any government. All of the other services come second to this fundamental mission. It's imperative in these days of economic hardship that elected officials remain focused on protecting Arizona.

Cuts to public safety budgets translates to fewer officers on the street, fewer officers supervising dangerous jailed felons, and fewer officers supervising convicted criminals released to our communities on probation and parole.

In some communities where officers have been laid off or taken off the streets on furloughs, response times have become dangerously slow because some shifts are severely understaffed. In many situations, an officer's arrival time can mean the difference between life and death.

At times like these, it's inconceivable that elected officials would even consider closing prisons for violent teenage criminals. Turning them loose early without proper supervision and adequate rehabilitation puts all of us at risk. Remember, these are not the truants, drug offenders and graffiti artists -- they are serving time for armed robbery, carjacking, home invasion, gang-related asaults, and sexual assault.

Officers see the gravity of our state's fiscal condition on every shift, in every community, in every jail. The ideas tossed about by politicians and budget crunchers, and debated in the media, have life-changing effects on Arizona residents.

Officers believe decision-makers looking to cut budgets should look at other options. When it comes to protecting Arizona, government should spare no expense.