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McComish becomes key player in Medicaid expansion drama
Senators are prepped for a lengthy floor debate on the GOP-led budget plan and a wildly anticipated fight to add Gov. Jan Brewer’s Medicaid expansion proposal to the mix against the objection of most Senate Republicans.
Ten budget bills cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee, many by 6-3 party line votes, and the Rules Committee on Wednesday afternoon. That paves the way for lawmaker[...]
Brewer: Senate budget means end is near
Gov. Jan Brewer said the budget introduced today by Senate President Andy Biggs is fairly close to her own and that she has few problems with the proposal, except for one major exception – it doesn’t include the expansion of Arizona’s Medicaid program.
State revenue outlook remains uncertain
Despite weeks of budget discussions, the governor and Republican lawmakers still haven’t agreed on how much the state will get in revenues over the next three years.
Brewer sales tax overhaul moving in Senate
Gov. Jan Brewer's proposed overhaul of the state's complex sales tax collection system is moving forward in the Senate, even as negotiations continue to change it to allay fears from cities and towns and some lawmakers express concern it is too sweeping to be accomplished in one session.
Bill aims to prevent court battles over settlement money
A bill that would change the way the state handles money from court settlements with the Attorney General’s Office could help prevent the kinds of court battles that ensued after the Legislature swept $50 million into the general fund last year.
Mayors unveil own sales tax simplification plan
Mayors of Arizona cities offered an alternative plan to simplify the state’s sales tax code today, hours before a Senate panel began tackling key provisions of Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal.
Senators fast-track money for CPS, IRC
Lawmakers plan to send two bills to Gov. Jan Brewer’s desk by the end of the week: an emergency provision to hire new staff for Child Protective Services and $500,000 for the Independent Redistricting Commission for an upcoming trial in federal court.
Deep split among GOP lawmakers to AHCCCS expansion
When Gov. Jan Brewer announced her proposal to expand Medicaid to the full amount advocated by the federal health care law, Republican leadership in the House and Senate received a fight they didn’t ask for, and one they didn’t know was coming.
Brewer plan would tie school funding to student achievement
Taking a page from higher education, Gov. Jan Brewer announced today she wants to install a system in which public schools would earn some of their funding based on student achievement.
Universities, agencies seek major spending hikes
Now that the economy is recovering, universities and state agencies are seeking budget increases and have asked Gov. Jan Brewer to fight for at least $500 million in new spending.
Anti-union bills being parceled out to gain success
Backers of anti-union bills are planning to parcel out the provisions of a measure that is advancing in the Senate, an apparent move to give each idea the best chance of passing. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved an amendment to prohibit pay to public employees who do union activities, a practice called “release time.”
Senate panel to consider Brewer’s personnel reform plan
The Senate Appropriations Committee will take up the governor’s proposal to overhaul the state’s merit system tomorrow. The proposal, which is her top priority for the legislative session, would essentially make it easier to fire state employees.
