PHOENIX (AP) -
A budget proposal by Republican legislators would scrap a longstanding requirement that the state Department of Corrections conduct a cost and quality comparison study for publicly and privately operated state prisons.
The requirement was in state law but long ignored until about a year ago. Current Corrections Director Charles Ryan ordered that a study be conducted, and the first and only one was released in December.
But the requirement would evaporate under the Republican budget proposal.
Democratic Sen. Paula Aboud of Tucson questions whether dropping the requirement would be fiscally irresponsible.
Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs says the provision isn't of much value. The Gilbert Republican says there's no indication that the requirement has provided the state with useful and reliable information.
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