Some of the concerns raised in the Legislature regarding Gov. Jan Brewer’s Medicaid expansion plan haven’t fallen on deaf ears.



In the amendment that included Brewer’s expansion plan in the Senate’s budget on May 16, the Ninth Floor included several changes aimed at alleviating concerns over her proposal.

The fever pitch for economic development legislation has died down somewhat following signs of recovery and passage of blockbuster bills in the past two sessions. But lawmakers are still pushing job-creating legislation, which has been stalled for months over the ongoing budget stalemate.

After weeks of discussions on possible pro-life language for her Medicaid expansion plan, Gov. Jan Brewer is through trying to find a way to bar abortion providers from participating in AHCCCS.

A block of five Republican senators joined forces with Senate Democrats on May 16 to wrest control of the chamber from Sen. President Andy Biggs and provide momentum to Gov. Brewer’s proposal to expand Medicaid in Arizona.

Senators are prepped for a lengthy floor debate on the GOP-led budget plan and a wildly anticipated fight to add Gov. Jan Brewer’s Medicaid expansion proposal to the mix against the objection of most Senate Republicans.

Ten budget bills cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee, many by 6-3 party line votes, and the Rules Committee on Wednesday afternoon. That paves the way for lawmakers to take a final round of votes on the $8.89 billion spending plan Thursday.

Unable or unwilling to take on Medicaid expansion at the Capitol, House speaker Andy Tobin wants to ask voters in the state whether they want to expand Medicaid coverage. He is working on a resolution to send the question to the ballot in a special election this year.

Senate President Andy Biggs stepped forward Tuesday with a budget proposal similar to the one offered by Gov. Jan Brewer in January, but it defiantly does not include her Medicaid expansion plan.

Across the state, education leaders in Arizona are trying to plan for the new school year with little information on how much state or federal funding they will receive. Education funding represents Arizona’s largest expense, but it’s unclear whether public schools will get more or less dollars when the new fiscal year begins in July.

Just when it looked like the Legislature couldn’t get any slower, Gov. Jan Brewer told legislative leaders to stop sending her bills altogether and if they do, the implied threat is that she will veto them.

The Arizona Legislature has gone from the fast track to stuck in the mud as lawmakers have become bogged down by the three key issues: Medicaid, sales taxes and the state budget.