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Senate panel OKs budget, including tax referral
The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the budget agreement that Republican leaders reached with Gov. Jan Brewer, but it remains to be seen if there is enough support to bring the spending plan to the floor for a vote by the whole body.
Huppenthal in, Gorman out; vote begins in Approps
Senate President Bob Burns has replaced a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee in another attempt to get the votes to pass a budget deal with the governor at the committee level.
Bankers won’t oppose repeal of foreclosure bill
Prescott Republican Sen. Steve Pierce has endorsed the repeal of S1271, a measure he shepherded through the Legislature in what he describes as an effort to provide some shelter to community banks that have been pummeled by waves of foreclosures.
Federal action may change Melvin’s tune on texting issue
If Congress moves on a proposed legislation to ban text messaging while driving nationwide, it may shift support for the issue at the Arizona Legislature. Sen. Al Melvin, a Tucson […]
New deal lacks votes; lawmakers adjourn
Republican leaders and Gov. Jan Brewer may have reached a tentative budget agreement, but they don’t have the votes to get it out of the Legislature.
Agreement in hand; vote expected tonight
Gov. Jan Brewer and House Speaker Kirk Adams announced that they and Senate President Bob Burns have reached a tentative budget deal, which they hope will be approved in the Legislature by the end of the night.
Burns says another bill freeze on tap next year
With the state facing a $3 billion deficit, Senate Republicans realized they needed a strong leader to unite the caucus behind a budget plan and get the governor to sign it. From among themselves, they chose Bob Burns.
Republicans prepare for budget vote
Democrats have accused Republicans of breaking off budget negotiations June 28 and breaking a promise that they wouldn’t use the bipartisan talks to leverage a deal with the governor.
Brewer optimistic as budget negotations continue
Legislative leadership met Tuesday (July 28) morning with Gov. Jan Brewer as talks continued over a possible budget deal that would include a ballot referral for the governor's temporary sales tax increase.
Lawmakers: Changes needed on foreclosure bill
UPDATE - Sen. Steve Pierce told the Arizona Capitol Times that his foreclosure bill will have to be fixed, either in special session or next year when the Legislature begins the regular session. Pierce and stakeholders met this afternoon (July 28) to discuss changes to the legislation.
GOP working both sides; separate budget deals in play
It’s been three weeks since lawmakers were called into a special legislative session to patch a massive hole in the budget, but there are finally signs that negotiations with Democrats may be bearing some fruit.
Hands off tobacco money – Supreme Court: Legislature can’t sweep First Things First
The Arizona Supreme Court has decided unanimously that state lawmakers overstepped their authority when they swept millions of dollars of interest held in the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health […]
