Bipartisan budget talks took place Sept. 1 – but only between Senate leaders and the governor.

Last-ditch budget negotiations between Republicans and Democrats appear to have fallen apart, which makes it unlikely Gov. Jan Brewer will see her sales-tax-increase proposal on a ballot any time soon.

The one budget bill that garnered a signature from Gov. Jan Brewer would fundamentally change the way the state Land Department is funded. Brewer on Aug. 21 signed H2014, which creates a self-funding mechanism for the Land Department and addresses issues at the Parks Department, the Department of Agriculture and other agencies.

The fate of two-months-overdue budget aimed at solving a $3.2 billion deficit now rests in the hands of Gov. Jan Brewer, as lawmakers delivered the plan to her eight weeks into a special legislative session called specifically to address the financial problems.

So far, Arizona has spent more money this fiscal year than it did during the same period last year. Between July 1 and Aug. 17, the state spent $164 million more than it did during the same period in 2008, according to figures provided by the state Treasure’s Office.

Running out of time and options, Republican leadership in the Senate has turned its attention to a handful of Democrats to cajole their support for a ballot referral on a sales tax increase.

Former lawmaker Brenda Burns has issued a press release announcing she had collected more than 4,000 petition signatures in her candidacy for the vacant seat on the Corporation Commission. Commissioner Kris Mayes will reach her term limit this year. Burns’ announcement also contained a lengthy list of endorsements. Since 2003 Burns has been principal of a public affairs [...]

The same day Arizona counties were required by law to adopt property tax rates, a House panel gave its approval to a measure that would eliminate a statewide property tax. Republican lawmakers have been working for months to permanently repeal the county equalization tax, which has been suspended since 2006. But the repeal, which was [...]

On September 1, Daniel Scarpinato, the Capitol correspondent for the Arizona Daily Star, will become editor of the Yellow Sheet Report, a subscription, Web-based, daily newsletter covering politics and government.

Arizonans may no longer be able to take pride that things here haven’t gotten as bad as in California. State Treasurer Dean Martin said Arizona may need to start issuing IOUs if the Legislature and Gov. Jan Brewer fail to approve a budget by Aug. 17.