With the state facing a budget deficit of $3 billion, state lawmakers are ready to slice and dice various programs that parents and others say are needed to care for those unable to speak for themselves.

Hopes were high among Arizona gun-rights activists earlier this year when Janet Napolitano left the Governor’s Office for a position as secretary of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. After all, many state bills that would have loosened gun restrictions were near sure-shootin’ vetoes while the Democrat occupied the Ninth Floor.

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.

Advocates for children's health care are breathing a little easier after Republican lawmakers released a budget draft on April 27 that avoided funding reductions to state-run health care programs for children in low-income families.