Bipartisan Senate passes budget, AHCCCS expansion
A debate that lasted nearly 12 hours ended late Thursday night, when the Arizona state Senate approved a budget proposal that includes a plan to expand Medicaid coverage as desired by Gov. Jan Brewer.
Six Republican senators joined forces with Senate Democrats to wrest control of the chamber from Sen. President Andy Biggs and provided momentum to Brewer’s proposal by giving preliminary approval to the bills during floor debate.
» Brewer ends quest for pro-life language in Medicaid plan
» McComish becomes key player in Medicaid expansion drama
» Biggs’ budget plan does not include Brewer’s Medicaid expansion
» House speaker proposes ballot measure on Medicaid expansion
» Brewer: Senate budget means end is near
LATEST NEWS
Arizona Senate Democrats: we won’t stall Medicaid debate
Senate Minority Leader Leah Landrum Taylor says she doesn't want Democrats to reject a plan to expand Medicaid access if they don't get their way on other issues.
- Arizona Senate vote expected on Medicaid expansion
- Arizona House passes bill protecting religion
- Mining executive testifies: Rick Renzi behavior smelled fishy
- Arizona copper mine land swap measure gets committee approval
- Ariz. lawmakers want students to learn how to budget
- Former Ariz. congressman to marry partner in DC
- FDIC shutters Central Arizona Bank
- Senate leaders move to revive election bills
- Arizona public schools wait for budget answers
TAKE OUR POLL
Loading ...DIGITAL EDITION
›› Digital Edition archives available with subscriptionGUEST OPINIONS
Gov. Brewer’s Medicaid expansion plan is sound fiscal management
Gov. Jan Brewer has set as a top priority that the state expand Medicaid to become eligible for a nine-to-one federal match instead of the current two-to-one match.
- Hospital lobby fears they might not get Medicaid subsidies
- An honest discussion is needed on Medicaid expansion
- Brewer, McComish faulted for working with local church group on Medicaid
- Medicaid plan will bring affordable health care to the uninsured
- New school bus law improves safety for all who ride
- Medicaid expansion could help end unnecessary mental health suffering
- Welcome to the world of competition
- Time to reshape our country’s spending priorities
- When it comes to AHCCCS expansion, consider the Golden Rule
WHO ARE THEY LOBBYING?
Lobbyist gift ban crusader accepts gifts from lobbyist 
Since getting caught up in the Fiesta Bowl scandal of 2011, Democratic Sen. Steve Gallardo has been the Capitol’s gift ban crusader, repeatedly introducing legislation to make it illegal for lawmakers to take free tickets or meals from lobbyists.
- Power brokers: The most lobbied lawmakers and the busiest lobbyists
- Lobbying records reveals loopholes, reporting gaps and errors
- From Austin to New Orleans, lawmakers travel at the expense of lobbyists
- Food and beverages: Lawmakers benefit from lobbyists’ largesse
- Pacheco’s flower power
- Lobbying record analysis methodology
- Definition of lobbyist hard to pin down
- Action lacking despite opportunities to improve Arizona’s lobbyist reporting system
CAPITOL TIMES ON HORIZON
March 27: Legislative Update
2012 Rock the Capitol
Why subscribe?
Capitol Insiders
Court denies injunction against Brewer’s driver’s license order
A federal judge has rejected an activist group’s request for an injunction against Gov. Jan Brewer’s executive order denying drivers’ licenses to young illegal immigrants who are allowed, under a federal program, to stay in the country.
Yellow Sheet Report
YELLOW SHEET REPORT
A coalition straight out of 2008
In a scene reminiscent of what happened in 2008 – when Napolitano was governor and a handful of Republicans sent her a budget with the help of Dems – three GOP members banded together with the Dem caucus today to add spending to the Biggs-initiated $8.8 billion budget plan.
CAPITOL CALENDAR
*Committee hearing times and locations are subject to change. Regularly updated hearing schedules and agendas can be found at AZCapitolReports.com
STAY CONNECTED WITH AZ CAPITOL TIMES
Special Features
2012 YEAR IN REVIEW
2012 Year in Review
A look back at this year's most defining moments, people and events in Arizona politics.
FOCUS
Health Care
Smoke is Clearing: Arizona’s medical marijuana program may finally be running smoothly
TIMES PAST
Highway 180: A Timeless Trail
The mostly two-lane U.S. Highway 180 travels through historic, scenic and scientific regions in northern Arizona.
Subscriber quick links 
