Standoff over state budget continues
Published on Friday, June 26, 2009
Facing the threat of a shutdown of state government on Wednesday (July 1) if leaders cannot come to an agreement on how to make up a state budget deficit of estimated to be between $3 billion and $4 billion, lawmakers were planning to work into the weekend June 26 to try to get as much accomplished as possible for Tuesday, which would be the end of the session.
Gov. Jan Brewer and lawmakers have been unable to come to an agreement on a resolution to the budget for the new fiscal year. Although the Legislature passed a version of the budget two weeks ago, leadership refused to send it to Brewer because they expected her to veto it. In turn, Brewer filed a lawsuit asking that the budget be transmitted.
Last week, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the Legislature should have sent to budget to Brewer but didn’t force the matter. As a result, the standoff continued.
Brewer has been lobbying for a budget that seeks to temporarily raise some revenue sources. The Legislature is looking to cut taxes and expenses.
Copyright © 2009 Inside Tucson Business