We would certainly be concerned about yet another expansion in the state's higher education system at a time when parents and students are experiencing double-digit tuition increases.

The governor's agenda has always been one of smaller government, less spending, more choices for parents and government restructuring. The fact that the House shares that agenda with the governor in the coming year is welcome.

Arizona has lagged behind for a long time. Parents are making it very clear they want education. Clearly we can do better.

When Dan Cooper puts together a budget that shatters state spending records, I can understand why he's sensitive about someone looking over his shoulder. But Gov. Sanford's job is to look out for the hard-working taxpayers of this state, and that's always going to be his top priority.

We will be making an announcement tomorrow regarding the Department of Commerce, but I can't comment specifically about the announcement in advance of it.

The governor has consistently said, in any kind of port expansion, he'd like to see some kind of public-private partnership, but he'll defer the nature of that partnership to the State Ports Authority.