State Capitol News

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – Governor Jan Brewer said this afternoon she's hoping a special
session finally produces a balanced budget she can sign. But the
same sticking point remains.

That sticking point remains her insistence that voters be given a
chance to hike the state sales tax by a penny. When she didn't
get that earlier this week, she vetoed key parts of the budget --
and ordered lawmakers back to the Capitol.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – The top two Republican legislators are lashing out at Governor
Jan Brewer for her veto of key elements of the state budget.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – State lawmakers gave final approval early this morning to a new
budget. But it isn't the one the governor wants.

The spending plan is similar to one the Republican-controlled
Legislature enacted early last month, one that Gov. Jan Brewer
said cut spending too much. This one restores some funding for
health and social service programs like Kids Care which provides
subsidized health coverage for the children of working poor.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – State lawmakers are set to make the big push today to enact a new
budget before the fiscal year ends at midnight.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – State lawmakers are quietly putting together a contingency plan
to keep state government operating -- at least for a while -- if
there's no budget deal soon.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – Efforts to adopt a new spending plan for the budget year that
begins Wednesday stalled on Saturday as Republicans balked at one
key element.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – State lawmakers are slated to vote this morning on a budget plan.
But the real issue surrounds how state tax laws will be revamped.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – Today's decision of the U-S Supreme Court on the state's
responsibility to fund English learner programs is a victory for
lawmakers and school superintendent Tom Horne. But it's not the last word.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – State lawmakers decided Thursday that the rights of gun owners
trump those of property owners, at least in some circumstances.
Arizona Public Radio's Howard Fischer explains.

The issue surrounds the policies of some businesses banning
employees from driving on the property with guns in their
vehicles. Rep. John Kavanagh said that undermines the right of
people to defend themselves.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – Republican legislative leaders have agreed to ask voters to hike
state sales taxes as part of a deal to balance the budget. But
the trade-off would be creating a flat state income tax for individuals.