State election officials say they can still put a temporary tax increase on the Nov. 3 ballot if the Legislature acts today (Aug. 11), but time is running out and no one is quite sure when the last grain of sand will fall to the bottom of the hourglass.

Gov. Jan Brewer is hoping to get her temporary tax increase on the ballot for November's election, but if lawmakers don't act soon, the vote may have to wait until January.

If lawmakers are going to put Gov. Jan Brewer's temporary tax hike proposal on the November ballot, they may want to do it soon. Maricopa County must order the paper for its ballots by July 16 in order to comply with the 26-day early-voting period mandated by Arizona law, according to Maricopa County Elections Director Karen Osborne. The orders can be placed past the deadline, she said, but each additional day likely will mean one fewer day of early voting.

Gov. Jan Brewer praised lawmakers for their swift and bipartisan work in passing four new budget bills on the first day of the special session, and she credited her vetoes of the previous budget as the force that pushed them together.

Gov. Jan Brewer said she is willing to sign a 2010 budget that does not include revenue from a proposed temporary tax increase, but other sticking points led Senate President Bob Burns to walk out on budget negotiations Sunday night (June 14).

Legislative leaders and Gov. Jan Brewer have reached a tentative agreement to move forward with a one-cent sales tax increase as part of the budget, a top Republican said June 10. "There is basically a tentative agreement to go forward with a one-cent sales tax (increase)," Senate President Bob Burns said.

Senate President Bob Burns has lit a path toward compromise with Gov. Jan Brewer on a final budget for fiscal 2010. On June 4, Burns said he wants to discuss ways in which Brewer can advance her five-point economic plan, which includes a $1 billion tax increase.

Nearly four months after she said she planned on releasing a detailed budget, Gov. Jan Brewer has done so. Her plan aims to bridge an estimated $4-billion deficit by increasing the sales and property taxes, borrowing against future Lottery revenue, mortgaging some state buildings and cutting state spending.

Nearly four months after she said she planned on releasing a detailed budget, Gov. Jan Brewer has done so. Her plan bridges an estimated $4 billion budget deficit through increases to the sales and property taxes, borrowing against future Lottery revenue, mortgaging some state buildings and cutting state spending.

Most Capitol observers believe voters are more likely to approve Gov. Jan Brewer’s temporary tax increase proposal than the Legislature, but recent events in California may be a sign that the governor should have a good backup plan ready.