The Arizona Legislature is moving to end the budget special session by adjourning sine die, which will have the net effect of granting Gov. Jan Brewer more time to decide what to do with most of the budget bills sent to her last week (she signed one bill dealing with the state parks and the state land department).

Under the state constitution, Brewer had five days to sign or veto the bills while the Legislature was in session — or they automatically became law. Her deadline is Wednesday. But a quirk in constitutional language means that once the Legislature ends the special session, Brewer will have another 10 days.

If Brewer decides to veto anything or reaches a new deal with lawmakers, she can call the Legislature back into another special session almost immediately.

UPDATE: House Democrats are calling today’s end of the special session are “sign of hope.” From a news release:

“We are hopeful that Gov. Brewer and our Republican colleagues will continue to work in a bipartisan way with Democrats so we can solve this budget together,” said House Democratic Leader David Lujan. “Bipartisanship is necessary to pave a road toward economic recovery and prosperity for the future of education and middle-class families in Arizona.”

Posted in: Arizona Legislature • Arizona government • Congress • Election issues • Governor • Presidential campaign • Jan Brewer |

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