Groups call budget disaster for kids

PHOENIX - A children's rights group says if the governor signs the budget approved by the Legislature, it would be a disaster for children.

Dana Naimark of the Children's Action Alliance said the budget is like the Wicked Witch of the West.

"It is just as frightening and as dangerous to Arizona as that wicked witch was to Dorothy and Toto and her friends in Oz," she said.

Timothy Schmaltz with the protecting Arizona's Family Coalition said 25,000 children and 9,000 parents could lose health care under the Legislature's budget plan. "Where is the compassion in that in the middle of a recession." He said the budget also cuts services for abused children.

Naimark said lawmakers' claims that they have no choice but to make the cuts are wrong. "And in their own budget that they adopted while they are slashing health care and services for kids with disabilities and shelter for victims of domestic violence, they are also cutting taxes by $250 million. They have choices and we have choices.

Naimark said the Legislature needs to go back to work and use brain power, compassion and courage to pass a "fair" budget.