Line in the sand

Republican governor and GOP Legislature are digging in for long budget fight

Legislature introduces budget after negotiation non-starter with Brewer

Legislative leaders are pushing ahead with their budget proposal after efforts to get the governor involved have failed.

But in going ahead, lawmakers risk alienating Gov. Jan Brewer, who has a competing budget plan.

The move could also spur the sides to begin meeting on the state’s spending plan.

Arizona’s delegation could split on party lines over debt-limit vote

WASHINGTON – All five Republican members of Arizona’s House delegation have signed on to the Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011, a plan to deal with the nation’s debt limit that is expected to come up for a vote Tuesday.

GOP leaders: Budget negotiations going well

Legislative leaders said they are making strides in their talks with the governor over a budget proposal that would solve more than $540 million in deficit this year and another $1.2 billion in the next fiscal year.

Brewer wants tax hike or targeted cuts to schools, cities

In an attempt to curry public support for her sales tax increase proposal, Gov. Jan Brewer has sought to make deep cuts to education and to allow the state to keep some of the money it normally shares with cities if voters reject the temporary tax increase in May's special election.

End of GOP budget fight? Seriously?

For the first time in at least six years, the annual release of budget plans by the Arizona Legislature and the governor didn't result in bickering. Of course, it helps that the legislative Republican majority didn't put out anything even closely resembling a budget plan this year.

Brewer makes official call for 5th special session

A special legislative session to address the continuing budget crisis will begin Thursday morning, but the votes to approve a package of bills that include a temporary sales tax increase don't appear to be in line.

Uncertainty looms in off session for Brewer, lawmakers

The uneasy stalemate that ended this year's budget battle didn't answer many questions, and the new ones it raises loom large as Gov. Jan Brewer and the Legislature look to what will probably be an even tougher fight ahead.

Indecent proposals: No winners so far in budget marathon

Legislative leaders from both parties were guardedly optimistic they would reach an agreement when they began negotiating a solution to the fiscal 2010 deficit with the governor last month, and even when it appeared the talks were faltering, some saw hope as long as the parties kept talking.

Proposed sales tax hike blocks budget deal

With the clock ticking, lawmakers and the governor held a series of closed-door meetings leading up to the Sept. 5 deadline for action on a slate of budget bills. But the negotiations did not produce the outcome Gov. Jan Brewer had desired - a bipartisan coalition of support for a special election to temporarily raise the sales tax to help balance the budget.

Unbalanced budget poses a legal quagmire

The Arizona Constitution requires the enactment of a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year before July 1. But two months into the fiscal 2010, the budget in place was not signed or balanced, even on paper.

Brewer: No special session until deal reached

Gov. Jan Brewer won't be quite as quick on the trigger when it comes to calling a fourth, and hopefully final, special session of the Legislature.