Is now really the time for more taxes?

From reading the Arizona Republic, you'd think we are in the middle of a bustling economy instead of a multi-billion dollar statewide deficit right now. On the front page today is a story about a planned $42 billion dollar transportation plan that looks to raise its money from a 1 cent sales tax increase. The gov's plan for increased taxes includes several billion for more transit, according to the pie chart I saw in the paper today.

Then on the opinion page, you have the Republic opining on the need for $1.4 billion more in bonding for the universities to build more buildings. This is why Michael Crow is getting paid so much? To build even more buildings? The guy has three campuses, don't you think he ould probably do okay with what he has already?

This is the kind of spending that you expect to see when things are looking up, people are spending a lot of money and the economy is booming. Instead, the folks are pitching these like they are "economic stimulus proposals." I understand that transportation and infrastucture helps boost the overall economy, but why so much so fast?

Its like people are lining up to raise our taxes by outrageous amounts - during the time that we can least afford to pay them.