REP. RUSSELL PEARCE (original photo at flickr.com)

Usually, events at the Legislature seem to move impossibly slow. But lawmakers can find a way to work at lightning speed when they want to. That’s what is happening tonight, as both the Senate and House try to move through competing sets of bills for a $10 billion to $11 billion budget from committee hearings to final votes – a process that can usually takes a week or longer.
A plenty of stumbles and humor so far, such as when Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, admitted he didn’t know for sure which amendment he was adding to one House bill, but the Republican majority voted for it anyway to keep things rolling.
There was a major hiccup over in the Senate at about 5:30 p.m. Sen. Bob Burns, R-Peoria and chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, made it clear he doesn’t like the deal struck between his colleagues from both parties. He lectured everyone during the committee hearing about the borrowing, sweeps of special funds and budget tricks, all of which means planning for a budget that begins July 1, 2009, will start with a potential shortfall by $1.2 billion.
“…Basically, we’re going off the cliff at the end of 2009,” Burns said. “I think that’s a problem.”
Burns demanded to know why that fact wasn’t being included in explanations of the current budget proposal being passed around the Capitol. He then suspended the appropriations meeting for 30 minutes, “to get an answer.”
Meanwhile, the House just recessed until about 8 p.m., when it’s expected to take roll-call votes on that chamber’s budget plan from Republican leadership that includes deeper cuts and less borrowing than the Senate version.
Lawmakers will be working late into the night, and it’s pretty murky as to where the Legislature will be at end of the voting. Either plan could fail to pass on roll-call votes. The Senate and House could approve their separate plans and then stare at each other over the next few days to see who blinks first. Or a revolt in one chamber or the other could lead to final passage of a budget to be sent the governor.
Update:
Capitol Media Service is reporting that the House abruptly adjourned for the day shortly before 6:30 p.m., instead of coming back at 8 p.m. to vote on the budget bills. Apparently, there’s doubt that House Speaker Jim Weiers, R-Phoenix, has the 31 votes he needs to pass the House GOP budget.
In any case, we move another day closer to the July 1 deadline and a partial government shutdown.

Posted in: Arizona Legislature • Arizona government • Governor |

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