The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Arizona Legislature expect a short, ugly session when lawmakers return to the Capitol in Phoenix on January 13.
Pundits say the short session is driven by lawmakers who want to hit the campaign trail in an election year.
The ugly is blamed on the toxic national political atmosphere that is expected to infect Arizona politics.
Atop the list of budget priorities is keeping a promise to fund the final installment of a 20 percent pay raise promised after teachers went on strike.
That's expected to cost nearly $340 million.
