Jim Weiers

Arizona state Senate Minority Leader-elect Jorge Luis Garcia (D-Tucson) said in a statement Thursday that he and the Democratic caucus in the Senate are "ready to work" to resolve an estimated $1.2 billion budget shortfall.

"The Senate Democrats remain available to resolve the budget deficit in a special session despite statements from both the Senate and House Republican leaders saying that time has run out," said Garcia. "We were previously asked by Republican leadership to set aside time to address the budget in a special session. We continue to be ready to do so within the range the Governor has proposed."

Arizona House Speaker-designate Kirk Adams (R-Mesa) is getting close to having his office up and running, but additions to his team will continue to come in over the next weeks, said Adams's chief of staff.

Victor Riches, the former state Senate chief of staff who made the move across to the House to serve under Adams, told PolitickerAZ.com that he and Adams are in the process of finalizing candidates for a host of positions, including budget advisor and legal counsel.

"We have a few folks we're bringing on," said Riches, who noted that they are finalizing the selection for legal counsel. "We have a couple of new people to fill out some policy roles, and they'll be over here in the next week."

Barrett Marson gave official word Wednesday that he will not be staying on as the spokesman for Arizona House Speaker-designate Kirk Adams (R-Mesa).

Marson sent out an email Wednesday afternoon confirming what has been widely expected since Speaker Jim Weiers (R-Phoenix) was unseated and Adams elected in his stead, that Marson is moving on from the Capitol.

"As you may have heard or read, I am leaving the House of Representatives after 4 glorious years serving House Speaker Jim Weiers, the House Republican Caucus, the people of Arizona and yes, the jackals of the media," wrote Marson.

The blue ribbon panel outgoing Arizona House Speaker Jim Weiers (R-Phoenix) proposed Monday will be composed of a "wide range of people with varied opinions on tax policy," according to Weiers's spokesman, Barrett Marson.

Weiers is convening the panel in order to "recommend a modern tax code that will create a fair environment and a competitive state economy in both good times and bad," according to a release he put out Monday afternoon.

Marson told PolitickerAZ.com that the panel would not include any legislators, and the lineup would be set later in the week. He also said Weiers "will work with" Speaker-designate Kirk Adams (R-Mesa) on the recommendations.

Outgoing Speaker Jim Weiers announced Monday he intends to create a blue ribbon committee to review Arizona's tax policy and to make recommendations for tax reform.

Weiers stated the state had already made the largest spending cuts in the state's history and now must also look at the state's tax policies to help come up with a way to fix the budget crisis.

Incoming speaker Kirk Adams, who defeated current Speaker Jim Weiers a few weeks ago, has appointed Weiers to a key position. Weiers will chair a special committee on school funding. The special committee will likely be a key player in fixing the current budget problems.

Leaders in the Arizona House told PolitickerAZ.com they are predicting some tough choices in the next session as the Legislature and governor work out a fix on the projected $1.2 billion deficit for 2009, but say they are looking forward to working in a spirit of cooperation.

"The governor came up with about $300 million in agency cuts," said Majority Leader-elect John McComish (R-Ahwatukee). "We need to sit down with her folks and see the particulars. We don't know what will be on the chopping block."

Rep. Bill Konopnicki (R-Safford), who chairs the House Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, added there may be another $150 million in sweeps, but after that, "everything becomes extremely difficult."

"It's not going to be a pleasant experience," Konopnicki said.

State Rep. John McComish (R-Safford), who will serve as majority leader when the Arizona House reconvenes under Speaker-elect Kirk Adams (R-Mesa), told PolitickerAZ.com he see a role for outgoing Speaker Jim Weiers (R-Phoenix) in the coming session.

"[Weiers] will still have much to contribute," said McComish, who cited the outgoing speaker's "institutional knowledge" as a valuable asset to the new leadership.

The Arizona House voted to replace Weiers as speaker on Nov. 6.

The new Arizona House leadership, elected Thursday, has made no staff changes yet, but announcements are expected to come soon, according to several Capitol insiders.

Though newly-elected Speaker Kirk Adams (R-Mesa) has reportedly not made any decisions yet, who is leaving and who of outgoing Speaker Jim Weiers's (R-Phoenix) staff will remain may begin to be known later in the week.

Barrett Marson, spokesman for the speaker's office, said he wasn't sure if he was leaving or not.

"I've made no decisions and no one's told me anything," Marson told PolitickerAZ.com. "No one's come to me and said I've been fired."

Legislative preview, House districts 6-10

LD6
Currently held by two Republicans, Doug Clark, who is moving on and Sam Crump, who is seeking another term. Crump is popular in the district and should easily be the top vote getter in LD6. History shows in this district if you have a R after your name you should be a shoe-in for the seat which is good news for Carl Seel, who defeated Tony Bouie in a heated primary battle.