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GOP leaders say bonding plan doesn’t have enough Republican votes to pass
The fate of Gov. Doug Ducey’s proposal to boost public universities’ bonding capacity by $1 billion - and perhaps of the state’s budget - rests in the hands of Democrats, according to GOP legislative leaders.
Strife ahead as FY18 budget takes shape
Legislative leaders are hoping to line up the votes for a $9.8 billion spending plan that will give public school teachers an immediate 1 percent pay hike, with an identical amount again next year.
House Speaker: Budget deal is ‘close’
House Speaker J.D. Mesnard said negotiators are close to finalizing a spending plan for Fiscal Year 2018, and while a deal isn’t set yet, there is a 50-50 chance that budget bills will be introduced by the end of the day today.
School advocates express skepticism over Ducey’s results-based funding
One of the largest chunks of funding in Gov. Doug Ducey’s budget proposal would send additional dollars to high-performing schools, a plan that critics say is counterintuitive.
Probation practice swamps justice system, leads to higher risk offenders
Arizona’s Adult Probation Services Division is increasingly responsible for more high-risk offenders under a sentencing practice called “probation tails.”
Ducey’s bonding plan for universities has more questions than details
Gov. Doug Ducey’s university bonding proposal is a vast unknown for Arizona lawmakers.
Ongoing budget talks stuck on university bonding plan
Gov. Doug Ducey’s $1 billion university bonding proposal remains a major stumbling block to reaching a budget deal as lawmakers reached the key 100-day mark in this year’s session.
Let’s start by devoting $20 million to early literacy
The number of third graders who don’t pass the reading exam in Arizona would fill every seat of Chase Field, with 5,000 kids still waiting in line outside!
House, Senate begin budget meetings with Ducey staff
The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee said Tuesday he and his Senate counterpart agree on an opening bid in budget talks with Gov. Doug Ducey's staff.
House speaker follows through on budget process promise
Arizona House Speaker J.D. Mesnard said Tuesday he is committed to following through on his promise to revamp how his chamber negotiates a state budget with the Senate and the governor's office.
Claims against Arizona Clean Elections Commission are misleading
Let’s cut to the chase. If Free Enterprise Club President Scot Mussi wanted voters to get “another shot” at evaluating Clean Elections, the club would support sending them a straightforward... […]
House members praise Mesnard’s inclusive approach to budget planning, but Senate president has doubts
It’s still too early to know exactly what impact House subcommittees will have on the budget process, but the reviews from House members are, thus far, positive.
