The AZ Legislature has passed a balanced budget* and adjourned sine die, and Gov. Hobbs signed the budget package into law.
* = Sort of. They used some earmarked funds, monies that were earmarked for one purpose but taken by the legislature and used for a different purpose. As some folks objected and sued over that, the "balanced" part will depend on the outcome of that court case.
The creative reuse of those funds has been blocked, pending that case.
From AZ Mirror, written by Jim Small -
Judge blocks use of opioid settlement money to balance Arizona’s budget deficit
A judge on Thursday blocked the transfer of $115 million from the state’s share of the national opioid settlement that legislators approved less than a week ago as a key component of balancing a nearly $1.4 billion budget deficit.
The court stepped in after Attorney General Kris Mayes, who was sharply critical of the proposed transfer when it emerged late last week and said it would violate the terms of the settlement, filed a lawsuit earlier in the day and asked for a judge to take emergency action.
[snip]
Late Thursday, Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Mary Cronin agreed that Mayes was likely to win her lawsuit and issued a temporary restraining order, blocking the transfer. The restraining order will stay in place until July 5. On June 27, Mayes and the Hobbs administration will have a hearing in front of Judge Scott Minder to discuss the underlying lawsuit.
The case in question is CV2024-016033
In short, depending on the ruling in the case, the legislature may have to return to the Capitol to balance the budget .
But without stealing money.
One thing I expect that they won't do: rein in the budget busting school voucher grift.
Right now, there isn't much on tap at the Capitol.
Monday, 6/24 thru Thursday, 6/27 - Nada
Friday, 6/28
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Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Study Committee on Water Security meets at 1 p.m. in HHR1. On the agenda: a raft of industry presentations saying basically the same thing - any water conservation measures will reduce their short term profits.
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