GOP, Dems Question Brewer's Leadership

By Peter Busch, reporter, KPHO

Republican and Democratic lawmakers simultaneously are raising serious questions about Gov. Jan Brewer's ability to lead the state through the ongoing budget crisis.

Brewer vetoed major portions of the budget that was approved in the waning hours of the previous fiscal year.

Now she has called for a special session to start from scratch, in hopes that lawmakers will approve a ballot referral for a one-cent sales tax increase.

"I believe that it's a new day and that we have responsible legislators and myself that know we have a responsibility and we'll get the job done," said Brewer.

But State Senate President Bob Burns, a fellow Republican, said the governor has unfounded optimism.

"The speaker and I held up our part of the bargain to work hard to get the necessary votes for the sales tax referral, but the votes just were not there -- a reality that was plain for all to see," Burns said in a statement.

The statement later insinuated that Brewer is over her head.

"It appears the governor is having problems managing the level of responsibility to which she has been elevated," he said.

Brewer later called Burns' comments "regrettable and unproductive."

If the Republicans won't vote for Brewer's tax increase, that leaves Democrats as her only option.

Brewer said she has been willing to work with the opposite party all along, something Democratic leaders said is all talk.

"She has shown no interest in meeting with the democrats and even less interest in negotiating with us," said Rep. Kyrsten Sinema.

Democrats have said they want to negotiate with the governor, but that it's Brewer's turn to reach out to them.

"I'm not sure how she expects to get something different than what she got before when she has not changed anything about her approach," said Sinema.