Sine Die! Special Session! Governor Gets The Last Word, For Now
After 170 days (fourth longest session in Arizona history), the Legislature adjourned Sine Die at 7:31 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1. The budget bills and "trailer" amendments, along with a number of other bills, were transmitted to Governor Brewer before the last gavel. She promised a quick response, and delivered. Just hours later, Governor Brewer executed line-item vetoes and signed both SB 1188: 2009-2010 General Appropriations Act, and SB 2643, the "trailer" bill making revisions to SB 1188. These two bills keep state government up and running for the time being.
The rest of the budget package was vetoed including the following budget reconciliation bills (BRBs):
1029 BRB; higher education
2649 BRB; higher education
1031 BRB; state assets
2646 BRB state properties trailer
1035 BRB; general government
2645 BRB; general government trailer
1036 BRB; general revenues
2644 BRB; general revenues trailer
1145 BRB; health & welfare
2650 BRB; health & welfare trailer
1187 BRB; K-12 education
2648 BRB; K-12 education trailer
1028 BRB; criminal justice
2647 BRB; criminal justice trailer
At the same time, the Governor called for a Special Session to begin at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 6 with the following subjects:
1. The adjustments necessary to address the state budget for the entire fiscal year 2009-2010.
2. Imposition of a temporary tax for the purpose of raising state revenues for primary and secondary education, health and human services and public safety expenditures.
Governor Brewer's letters to Secretary of State Ken Bennett, Senate President Bob Burns, and House Speaker Kirk Adams describing her actions are available under "Latest News" on the Governor's webpage at azgovernor.gov. Her proclamation calling the Legislature to a Special Session is also available there. Arizona's Constitution specifies that in a special session the only laws that can be enacted are those related to the subjects in the Governor's call for special session.
Ten Days to Review Approximately 200 Bills
Approximately 200 other pieces of legislation were transmitted to the Governor for her consideration. From July 1, she will have 10 days to sign, veto, or allow those bills to become law without her signature. Once that is sorted out we will share the results of the session legislation and the impact on neighborhoods.
Scorebox
3 - Number of Special Sessions
212 - Bills Passed
15 - Bills Vetoed
12 - Bills Signed
Our city's budget for next fiscal year (July 2009-June 2010) was adopted in February and includes difficult cuts that impact services in our community. Remember to SHOP PHOENIX and tell your legislators to protect city revenues!
Source: P.L.A.N.
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