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Lawmakers accuse governor of encroachment
The Legislature on June 19 filed its response to Gov. Jan Brewer’s lawsuit in the Arizona Supreme Court, countering the governor’s claim that lawmakers are usurping her authority and accusing her of doing the same.
Bennett says he doubts state govt. would shut down
A top state official says he doesn't think there will be a state government shutdown even if a new budget isn't approved by the next fiscal year's July 1 start.
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.
Deficit figure still a moving target
Lawmakers and budget officials have been estimating the deficit of the upcoming fiscal year at about $3 billion, even though the economy has continued a treacherous slide and state revenues have eroded at an alarming pace.
Brewer signs FY09 budget bills
Gov. Jan Brewer on May 14 signed two bills to adjust the fiscal 2009 budget with a combination of federal stimulus money, delayed payments to K-12 schools and universities, and excess funds saved in recent years by school districts.
Legislature fixes $650M deficit in fiscal 2009
The Senate and the House approved a plan on May 13 that suspends a payment of $300 million to school districts until the next fiscal year and instead allows them to tap into their excess cash balances to cover ongoing expenses. The plan is part of a two-bill package aimed at solving a $650-million budget deficit in fiscal 2009.
Budget gets House panel OK, but it’s just a start
A legislative panel may have spent the better part of seven hours debating, amending and approving a package of budget bills, but that doesn't mean action on a plan to solve a roughly $3 billion deficit is imminent. Rather, many lawmakers say the significance of the committee's work is that it sets the stage for progress to be made.
House panel moves all 10 budget bills despite Democrat opposition
A budget crafted by House Republicans has cleared the first hurdle, gaining committee approval May 5 by a party-line vote, though it is unclear when the proposal will be taken up by the entire chamber.
House Approps advances budget bill on 8-5 vote
A House panel voted along party lines May 5 to approve a fiscal 2010 budget bill that relies on $630 million in spending cuts and taking another $394 million from other dedicated funds.
A full transcript of the April 17 letter to Brewer
Dear Governor Brewer: For the last two months, we have met with your staff on a regular basis to discuss ongoing budget issues, tax reform and progress related to the federal stimulus funds. Concurrently, members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have continued their work toward a legislative budget proposal. We have spent considerable time with the members providing educational[...]
Budget deadlines become a moving target
A lawmaker half-jokingly predicted several weeks ago that this year’s legislative session might turn out to be the session that never ends. For now at least, it is shaping up to be the session of cancelled budget hearings.
Homecare a lifesaver for many seniors, but funding is in jeopardy
Charles Harper married his high-school sweetheart, Charlotte, 20 years after graduation. They had rekindled an old romance at a high school reunion. The couple lived in a nice Mamaroneck, N.Y., townhouse and had good jobs. Things changed, though, one day in early 2001 when Charlotte was walking to work. She collapsed when an aneurysm burst in her brain stem, and a blood clot left her paralyzed [...]
