Arizona is a national leader in school choice with both charter schools and tuition tax credits giving parents and their children more school choices than ever before.

During the last regular session and the most recent special session, measures that I see as little more than Band-Aids were applied to three health programs in the state.

Despite Arizona's remarkable growth in recent years, we have met the current federal health standards for ozone pollution and the Environmental Protection Agency recently approved our dust control plan.

When completed, the budget must provide the services we have promised to our constituents.

We emerged from the events of September 11 more steadfast in our beliefs, more courageous in our actions and more determined to protect our values than ever before.

Arizona faces many challenges ahead. None is more important or more pressing than passing a new state budget.

Right after the tragedy, President Bush asked Americans to get on with their lives and we did.