The Arizona Legislature didn’t adopt a final budget before the state’s new fiscal year started at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, according to the live Web video. But the state Senate is working toward final adoption of a package of trailer bills that adjust the original version previously approved on June 4. The House approved the same package starting about 9:30 p.m.
Sen. Jorge Garcia, D-Tucson, noted at 11:50 p.m. that the Senate digital floor clock was mysteriously turned off, persumably so there’s no official record that the deadline passed without a budget. Garcia’s Democratic colleagues in the Senate did drag the issue past midnight with a series of amendments intended to reduce various spending cuts. All were rejected by the Republican majority without comment.
Of course, Gov. Jan Brewer will have little time to decide whether to sign the budget that doesn’t include a requested statewide sales tax election, whenever it’s finally delivered to her. If she doesn’t sign it within a few hours, she will have to figure how to manage a state government that doesn’t yet have any spending authority from lawmakers.
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Hopefully, now we will see what is considered “necessary” government and what is just frills. Also we’ll see how little the government really needs to spend. If handled correctly this should be a major boon for the state and all of us. A chance to take a strippo government, and customize it carefully and economically to fit us better, with no pork or privilege.
Any news on what is happening with domestic partner benefits? My fiance and I will be affected if they are cut…
From the amendments offered by Democratic lawmakers that were defeated by Republicans last night, I’m pretty sure domestic partner benefits would eliminiated. But take a look at my latest post…