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Legislative leaders want to pass budget ASAP, governor’s staff says it’s ‘false urgency’
Republican Senate leaders said on Tuesday that the Legislature is working with Gov. Katie Hobbs to pass the state’s budget in the next two weeks, citing an April deadline connected to federally allocated Medicaid funding, but the governor’s staff say it’s a play to create “false urgency.”
End of House media ban means all eyes on budget
House Speaker David Gowan's decision to lift a ban on journalists covering proceedings from the House floor means all eyes are again focused on stalled negotiations on a nearly $10 billion state budget package.
Grand Canyon ongoing opening depends on state cash
Arizona will have to send more cash to the federal government by late Wednesday if Congress still hasn't passed a budget and the state wants the Grand Canyon National Park to remain open this coming weekend.
Attorney general blames Democrats for state budget cut
Attorney General Tom Horne sniped at Democrats today for cutting a $1.2 million fund that has been used for combating Mexican drug cartels in southern Arizona since 2009.
Brewer clears schedule as budget negotiations continue
Gov. Jan Brewer isn’t making any public appearances set for the week and is keeping her schedule open so she’ll be available for budget and Medicaid negotiations.
Brewer: Senate budget means end is near
Gov. Jan Brewer said the budget introduced today by Senate President Andy Biggs is fairly close to her own and that she has few problems with the proposal, except for one major exception – it doesn’t include the expansion of Arizona’s Medicaid program.
Arizona public schools wait for budget answers
Public school superintendents across Arizona say they aren't sure how many teachers they will be able to employ during the next school year because state lawmakers aren't providing answers.
Heroes and traitors: Medicaid debate forces lawmakers to take sides on budget
When discussing the progress made in budget negotiations so far this year, Senate President Andy Biggs reminded the Arizona Capitol Times that patience is a virtue.
Bills stacking up after Brewer threatens mass vetoes
The 2012 session appears to be in its final days, but some of the biggest pieces of legislation this year — including Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to make it easier to fire state employees — remain stuck at the state Capitol.
The glut of measures yet to be passed — or in some cases held by legislative leaders — is at least partially a result of an embargo on sending bills to the[...]
Republicans mulling Dem alliance after veto threat
After weeks of budget talks with no agreement in sight, Gov. Jan Brewer gave legislative leaders an ultimatum, telling them she would veto bills until work on the state’s spending plan is complete.
But rather than force a quicker budget resolution, it could result in more heartburn between the two sides. In fact, there were indications some Republicans might be taking a look at abando[...]
Brewer places moratorium on bills until budget done
Talks on the budget may be on the verge of breaking down, as Gov. Jan Brewer today told Republican legislative leaders that she will not sign any more bills until the budget is done.
Republican lawmakers and Brewer have been at loggerheads over a budget deal all session. The governor called for increased spending in education and some social programs, but Republicans have said she wan[...]
Legislature on verge of missing session adjournment goal
A year ago, the Arizona Legislature was just days away from adjournment of its annual legislative session, having already approved a state budget that included painful cuts to state services. But while lawmakers missed their self-imposed 2011 adjournment target of 100 days by just five hours, there's little chance the Legislature will come near as close this year.
