Eight Republicans helped to reject a bill Thursday that would have sharply expanded a program that uses public money to send students to private schools.

Arizona lawmakers have an extremely busy week ahead as they attempt to finish up the 2014 legislative session.

Lawmakers gave final approval to two economic development bills, including one that is a top priority of Gov. Jan Brewer.

Sen. Olivia Cajero Bedford questioned Sen. Steve Gallardo’s honesty in regards to his sexual orientation in a closed-door caucus meeting on Tuesday and said Gallardo should “act more gay.”

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.

A spokesman for Gov. Jan Brewer said the governor has concerns with changes the Senate is making to the House-approved budget that could lead her to veto the spending package.

The Arizona Senate delayed debate on a $9.23 billion spending plan Monday afternoon as lawmakers prepare amendments to the budget and Senate President Andy Biggs finds a means to further cut funding for district charter schools.

After a week of political bargaining over the state budget that included a failed attempt to consider the spending package on the floor and an emotionally charged press conference declaring negotiations had broken down, Republicans in the House of Representatives banded together to approve a $9.24 billion spending plan for the 2015 fiscal year late Thursday night.

Five Senate Republicans again helped Democrats kill two bills that would have undermined Common Core.

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.