Groups, lawmakers push for multiple issues in special session

Gov. Jan Brewer and legislative leaders have agreed to limit the special session to fixing ballot language aimed at preserving the right to vote by secret ballot in union elections.

But that hasn’t stopped lawmakers and groups from pushing for other issues to be included in the special session.

Sen. Jack Harper, a Republican from Surprise, wants the session expanded to include border security.

Meanwhile, Steve Voeller, president of Arizona Free Enterprise Club, asked Brewer to add budget cuts to the mix.

“It’s clear many policymakers are under the impression that the voter-approved sales-tax hike has fixed our budget problems,” Voeller said in a news release. “The problem is they’re also under the illusion they’ve cut more than they have.”

As a starting point, the Arizona Free Enterprise Club said the state should start implementing the conditional cuts that would have occurred had voters rejected the sales tax increase proposal last May.

Those cuts amounted to more than $860 million under the conditional budget that was enacted.

But voters decidedly approved the one-cent sales tax hike in the mid-year special election.

Lawmakers, especially those who are facing contested elections, are unlikely to be in a mood to entertain other issues during the special session.

They would want the session to be quick, and adding budget cuts to the mix could prolong and complicate matters.

Already, a senior Democrat has balked at the idea.

“I think to propose going in Monday, in a 72-hour session, and implementing more cuts without any sort of hearings and without any sort of bills that we can review would be irresponsible of the Republicans,” said Senate Assistant Minority Leader Rebecca Rios.

The proposed legislative fix, HCR2001, which is sponsored by House Speaker Kirk Adams and Republicans John McComish and Steve Yarbrough, was filed Aug. 6.

Senators will introduce an identical measure.

The session will involve a fix to Proposition 108, which sought to preserve the right to vote by secret ballot for local, state and federal elections, as well as for organizing unions. The new language dropped the part about local, state and federal elections.

A Senate committee hearing has already been scheduled on Aug. 9 upon the adjournment of that day’s floor session.

The state’s highest court ruled Aug. 3 that Proposition 108 won’t be considered by Arizona voters during the November general election because it violates the single-subject rule in the state Constitution. The court didn’t include an explanation to back up the decision, but noted a more detailed opinion will be released soon.

Lawmakers passed the original referral in an effort to protect the right to vote by secret ballot in elections to form labor unions and in elections for state officers.