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Senate budget: A bargaining chip?
Despite all the raw emotions it stirred and all the opposition it encountered, the Senate’s budget-slashing and gimmicks-busting proposal isn’t going to be state’s final spending plan.
Its most contentious aspects, more likely than not, will be softened and its most ragged edges smoothed out before it wins support in the House of Representatives and with Gov. Jan Brewer.
Senate budget plan deliberately ends FY11 in the red; Republicans call it transparent, honest
Instead of balancing the budget by borrowing money, deferring payment to schools or resorting to any other accounting maneuver, the Senate is proposing to cut spending as much it can, even if it means the current fiscal year ends with the state in the red.
Capitol Quotes: Jan. 14, 2011
“I will never say anything hateful or hurtful again about somebody else who I have a disagreement with because we must break this mold.” — Democratic Rep. Steve Farley, of Tucson.
Seasoned lawmakers work to thwart freshman confusion
Legislative leaders, who remember the confusion peculiar to being a new lawmaker, are working to help freshmen members begin working effectively as soon as possible, especially since they make up one-third of the House seats this year.
At Capitol, civility reigns for now, but business as usual looms
No opening day at the Capitol has ever resembled the one on Jan. 10, but the end of the 2011 session may not look any different from the near-century of sessions that preceded it.
Arizona speaker says Tucson shooting is a reminder
Arizona House Speaker Kirk Adams says he hopes the Tucson shooting helps motivate state lawmakers to be civil with each other, respecting the need to disagree respectfully when at odds on major issues.
