Attorney General Reducing Staff in Response to State Budget

(Phoenix, Ariz. – July 20, 2009) To meet significant reductions in the Fiscal Year 2010 State budget for his office, Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced steps to minimize costs while continuing to the maximum degree possible the critical work of protecting public safety and providing sound legal advice to the State. 

The biggest cost-saving step is a staff reduction this week of 29 persons, including 12 attorneys and 17 support staff. No criminal investigator positions will be involved. Affected employees have been notified today. The reduction in force will take effect on Friday, July 31.  

These cuts come on top of a staff reduction in January that eliminated 20 jobs in response to the Fiscal Year 2009 budget adjustment. With additional cuts through retirements and other unfilled departures, the Office has reduced a total of 82 employees since the beginning of January.   

This latest staff reduction is anticipated to save a total of $2 million for the Attorney General’s Office budget and the portion of the Department of Economic Security budget which funds the Attorney General’s Child and Family Protection Division. 

“These reductions are painful for our hard-working lawyers and staff, and unfortunately, diminish our ability to protect Arizona families and defend our State in the courtroom,” Goddard said. “I call on the Legislature to restore critical public safety resources at the earliest opportunity.”  

For more information, contact Anne Hilby at (602) 542-8019.