NEWS

Fri, Nov 20

Arizona Senate disarray extends special session

The Arizona Legislature on Thursday unexpectedly extended its special session into a second week after the Senate narrowly rejected a bill to cut funding for schools and social services when majority Republicans came up one vote short.

After a floor session marked by long delays and other signs of disarray among majority Republicans, the Senate adjourned until Monday. The House, which was waiting to vote after the Senate, then also adjourned.

The special session began Tuesday and had been expected to conclude Thursday with passage of Republican bills to trim the state's projected $2 billion budget shortfall by approximately $452.4 million. That amount includes $292.6 million of cuts of funding for K-12 schools' equipment purchases and Department of Economic Security social services. Read more.

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