Republicans finally got the final vote needed to pass a proposal that would permanently put in place a property tax relief program, and it came from a Democrat.

Meanwhile, two GOP members made good on their word and broke ranks to oppose the measure. Their opposition to the legislation had, for a while at least, blocked their party from achieving one of its priorities for this session.

The GOP had fewer than the 16 votes needed to get the bill out of the 30-member Senate, until Sen. Ken Cheuvront's decision to support the measure tipped the balance.

The final vote on House Bill 2220 was 16-13, with Cheuvront and 15 Republicans voting "yes." Republican Sens. Tom O'Halleran of Sedona Carolyn Allen of Scottsdale joined 11 Democrats in voting against it.