State flush with cash makes for difficult budget negotiations
A Republican lawmaker who says he wants more money for public education is leaving Senate President Karen Fann without the votes she needs for the budget.
Grab bag of laws voided by Supreme Court
When the Arizona Supreme Court slapped down how lawmakers approve "budget reconciliation'' bills on November 2, they quashed more than the ban on schools requiring masks of faculty and students.
Hobbs wants bigger budget – doesn’t ask nicely
Secretary of State Katie Hobbs wants to nearly double her office’s funding next year because of new burdens imposed by Republican legislators.
Tucking policy in budget to get tested in court
Two lawsuits seeking to overturn multiple controversial provisions of this year’s state budget could have big implications for how lawmakers write budgets in the future – if the plaintiffs’ arguments prevail.
Sine finally die!
After 171 days and several false starts and with mere hours to spare before a government shutdown, Gov. Doug Ducey signed a budget and the Arizona Legislature finally succeeded in adjourning sine die at 4:54 p.m. Wednesday.
House GOP bill requires lessons on evils of communism
Republican lawmakers voted Friday to require that students be exposed to the stories of people who have fled communism as part of a curriculum to prepare them to be "civically responsible and knowledgeable adults.''
GOP budget maneuvers anger educators
Public school advocates’ frustrations with the state budget go beyond Gov. Doug Ducey’s tax plan – the rebirth of zombie bills and expansion of empowerment scholarship account eligibility are an added blow to groups that say the Legislature should prioritize traditional public education.
House Republicans pass massive tax cuts, measure goes to Ducey
House Republicans pushed through the plan to sharply cut taxes on the rich Thursday -- but only after changing the rules to limit debate and objections by Democrats.
Voucher expansion proposal puts Udall, John on the spot
The Senate’s passage of a massive voucher expansion will test the resolve of two Republican House members who killed the expansion earlier this year.
House Dems walk out stalls GOP budget
House Republicans’ hopes of passing a budget Tuesday were dashed when the Democrats boycotted the morning’s floor session.
House Dems torpedo GOP efforts to pass budget
Efforts to enact a new $12.8 billion budget and tax cuts sputtered Tuesday as House Democrats refused to come to the floor, leaving the Republican-controlled chamber short of a quorum.... […]
House, Senate GOP leaders bring in budget holdouts
The Legislature may start debating and voting on the FY22 budget as early as Tuesday after striking a deal with Republican holdouts that slows down the implementation of tax cuts and pays off more debt.