GOP congressman says higher-ed cuts hurt Arizona - Rebekah L. Sanders, The Republic

A Republican congressman says cuts to Arizona's education system are hurting the state. The criticism from U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., a self-described fiscal hawk, was unusual, especially for a member of Gov. Doug Ducey's own party. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., also said Monday that education cuts are bad for Arizona. He said state lawmakers could have sought other ways to balance the budget. Cuts to Arizona's higher-education system are hurting the state and damaging job growth, a Republican and a Democrat representing the state in Congress told constituents this week at events around the Valley. The criticism of state spending from U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., was surprising for a self-described fiscal hawk and a member of Gov. Doug Ducey's party, though Salmon didn't mention the governor by name. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said state lawmakers could have found other ways to fill the yawning budget shortfall. http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/arizona/politics/2015/03/31/republican-congressman-says-cuts-arizonas-education-system-hurting-state/70708288/