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Senate fumbles, fails to pass two budget measures
The Legislature passed 13 of the measures aimed at solving the state’s deficit in fiscal years 2010 and 2011, but Senate Republican leaders failed to muster the votes for the two remaining measures that would save the state about $350 million.
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Big Spenders: Lobbying costs rise as revenues drop
Local governments in Arizona fought off budget crises last year by reducing services, raising taxes and, in many cases, spending more money on lobbying services.
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Day 4 of special session: House passes all 15 measures
The House passed all 15 budget measures in the special session. The Senate, however, was unable to pass two of the bills.
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AZ trust fund for jobless benefits running dry
The state trust fund that pays for jobless benefits is expected to run dry this week. That will force Arizona to borrow money from the federal government until unemployment subsides.
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Officials: Budget cuts will increase boating dangers
The latest plan to address the state’s budget deficit would sweep a fund that helps law enforcement patrol Arizona’s waterways, something that two local officials say would endanger boaters.
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New deal would save Juvenile Corrections for now
Republican leaders and Gov. Jan Brewer have struck a deal that will allow the Department of Juvenile Corrections to remain in place for the next year instead of shuttering the agency and shifting responsibility to counties.
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Day 3: Tracking the special session
The special session continues today as lawmakers try to hammer out a deal on a budget plan that would eliminate the $700 million deficit remaining in the fiscal 2010 budget and another $2.6 billion deficit in the fiscal 2011 budget. Lawmakers hope to vote on the bills today.
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Tax boost for AZ businesses draws bipartisan support
The only bill in a Republican budget-balancing package to draw bipartisan support from members of an Arizona House committee was one opposed by small businesses.
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Burns’ debt measure approved by committee
Senate President Bob Burns’ plan to rehabilitate the state from its addiction to borrowing has been approved at the committee level.
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Day 2: Tracking the special session
The special session continues today as lawmakers try to hammer out a deal on a budget plan that would eliminate the $700 million deficit remaining in the fiscal 2010 budget and another $2.6 billion deficit in the fiscal 2011 budget. Click here for updates.
