Sen. Ron Gould/Capitol Media Services
At least another week will pass before state lawmakers address the remaining details of the budget, including a projected $2 billion to $2.7 billion deficit this year. The Senate and House met long enough this afternoon to offer prayers, say the Pledge of Allegiance and schedule to meet again next Monday. Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, did try to slip in a motion to immediately end the session without further action, but not a single colleague joined him.
“The only reason the special session is still open is to shove through a (sales) tax increase to the ballot,” Gould said after his lone vote to adjourn sine die. “I’m never going to vote to send any tax increase to the ballot and I’m disappointed no other Republicans supported my motion.”
Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, who normally stands right next to Gould on budget issues, said he wants the Republican-sponsored changes in the budget reconciliation bills vetoed by Gov. Jan Brewer. Many of those changes sought to reduce government fraud or waste, and would make policy changes intended to shrink state spending.
A reminder, the Legislature decided last week to suspend the pay of lawmakers on days it doesn’t actually meet during this special session on the budget.
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