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Next stop for budget: Negotiating Brewer’s five-point plan
Senate President Bob Burns has lit a path toward compromise with Gov. Jan Brewer on a final budget for fiscal 2010. On June 4, Burns said he wants to discuss ways in which Brewer can advance her five-point economic plan, which includes a $1 billion tax increase.
Lawmakers compromise with Brewer on health care spending
A five-month battle over health care spending between Gov. Jan Brewer and Republican leadership reached a breaking point early this week after Brewer asked lawmakers to set aside hundreds of millions of dollars of additional spending for state-run health care programs.
Getting 16 Senate votes for the budget wasn’t easy
There were a lot of behind-the-scenes maneuvers and drama leading to the Senate’s budget vote on June 4. Senate President Bob Burns and House Speaker Kirk Adams met with Sen. John Nelson, a Republican from Glendale, in Burns’ office to try to get his buy-in.
Burns refers 250 bills to committees, more coming
Senate President Bob Burns changed strategy on June 4 by referring 250 bills to committees in one swoop and saying he plans to refer more in the coming days.
Senate stays until 4 a.m. to pass budget
Senate leaders worked in overdrive to persuade enough Republicans to finally pass a plan that solves a $3-billion deficit in next year's budget.
Senate forms committee to research cap-and-trade legislation
The Senate has created an ad-hoc committee on climate initiatives, a hot-button issue that has taken the backseat to the state's record-breaking budgetary woes.
Senate to push ahead with budget, setting up battle with Brewer
The Senate plans to bring its budget packet to the floor today without changes to accommodate Gov. Jan Brewer's recently-released budget proposal. Senate President Bob Burns' decision to move forward may set up a showdown between the competing plans of the executive branch and the GOP-led Legislature.
Burns tells colleagues to pass fiscal 2010 budget — now
The Senate’s top Republican is pushing to pass a budget proposal for fiscal 2010 in the next few days — even without the buy-in of the House or the Governor’s Office. Senate President Bob Burns told members of his caucus that now is the time to vote on the budget.
This week in the Senate: fingerprint clearance and vouchers
Committee work will be light in the Senate this week as action shifts to the floor to pass non-budget but time-sensitive legislation in regular session.
AZ one step closer to complying with federal Adam Walsh Act
A Senate panel has approved legislation that would put the state in compliance with a federal law intended to crack down on sex offenders and would ensure Arizona doesn't lose millions of dollars in federal funding.
Senate panel passes FY10 budget after 9-hour debate; changes expected
With about six weeks to go before the fiscal year ends, a Senate panel hunkered down late into the night on May 20 to approve a spending packet that solved a $3 billion deficit in next year's budget.
Lawmakers clearing way for rural hospital districts’ special elections
The Senate has suspended rules to fast-track passage of legislation that would allow two rural hospital districts to hold special elections before June 30 in an effort to continue a property tax that pays for ongoing operations.
