It’s about time
House Majority Whip John McComish applauds the announcement that the House has adjourned sine die, shortly before 11 p.m. June 20. Photo by Bill Coates

A little more than an hour before the calendar rolled from Wednesday into Thursday, the Legislature finished its work and adjourned for the year. The 164-day session ties last year’s session for the fifth longest in state history.
On the final day, the Legislature approved a variety of issues, including measures to penalize businesses that hire illegal immigrants and reduce air pollution.
Some last-ditch attempts to approve legislation were not successful. In the Senate, a bill that would have required minors to have parental consent to have abortions was given preliminary approval before it was defeated on a vote of the entire chamber.
Some of the most heated debate on the final day was reserved for a bill that prohibits cities from attracting retail development by giving tax incentives.
Rep. Chad Campbell, D-14, said gifting massive amounts of tax money to developers and large corporations is an abuse of power and, in most cases, doesn’t increase revenues for the city.
“I cannot see how you can vote against this bill if you believe in protecting taxpayer dollars,” he said.
But others, like Rep. Steve Farley, said H2515 takes local control away from cities.
“Our local governments need to be able to have the power to make decisions for their citizens,” the District 28 Democrat said.
The House approved the bill 36-21.
Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-15, said he was hopeful Gov. Janet Napolitano would sign the bill.
“She understands how bad the incentives have been so I hope she will support it,” he said
One item the Legislature failed to address was a federal court order to adequately fund English Language Learner programs by the end of the session, which may result in sanctions against the state. Legislative Republicans and the state’s schools chief are appealing the court’s ruling in the Flores v. Arizona case.