The Senate approved its latest version of a state budget Tuesday after making further cuts to a $9.2 billion fiscal 2015 spending plan approved by the House last week just as Gov. Jan Brewer indicated that those changes could spur her to veto the budget.

The Senate plans to start advancing a budget this afternoon, kicking off what is expected to be a legislative battle without the approval of Gov. Jan Brewer.

As soon as rumors of Biggs’ plan began to circulate, so did speculation about the president’s real intentions. One Republican source questioned Biggs’ action, since moving a budget could facilitate the passage of the governor’s AHCCCS expansion plan through his chamber.

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.

The Senate leadership is pushing to officially introduce and pass a budget proposal this week, multiple sources told the Arizona Capitol Times on Monday.

Gov. Jan Brewer aide Paul Senseman gave GOP gubernatorial candidate John Munger credit for coming out yesterday with a budget proposal of his own, but that's about as far as he was willing to go. "First of all, we're grateful that Mr. Munger at least has the political courage to put something down on paper," said Senseman.