Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Service, in the Sierra Vista Herald:
PHOENIX — Incoming Gov. Jan Brewer is balking at eliminating state funding for full-day kindergarten despite the $200 million or more it would save taxpayers.
Brewer, in an interview with Jay Lawrence of KTAR Radio in Phoenix, said she understands the need to look at all the money the state spends, what with a $1.2 billion budget deficit this year and a gap of more than $2 billion next year between anticipated revenues and expenses.
With this and other early indicators, such as her refusal to rule out tax increases to deal with the budget crisis, the Governor-in-Waiting is showing she won't be cornered into predictable conservative positions. She's showing real political savvy. The question is: Will she be able to maintain that tone once she's actually in office and making decisions that count?
