The Arizona governor worked the phones Tuesday night, bringing Democratic senators in line to pass a budget plan she negotiated with Republican leaders.
Howard Fischer PHOENIX — State senators approved a $17.8 billion spending plan early Wednesday negotiated between Gov Katie Hobbs and Republican legislative leaders as some Democrats agreed to go along figuring it was the best — and only — deal they were likely to get.
The Tempe Democrat said party members remain"very unhappy" with the fact that the deal negotiated by the Democratic governor leaves in place a universal voucher plan which allows any Arizona student to get tax dollars to attend private or parochial schools or even get funds for home schooling. Epstein, however, suggested that the governor, with that praise for Democrats finally agreeing to the plan she negotiated with GOP leaders, was being less than sincere.
"But this is the budget we have before us today," Epstein said."So we have to make a decision on this budget."But Epstein's contention of whether a better deal might be negotiated is speculative at best. But that drew derision from Sen. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale. He pointed out that Democrats refused to support a proposal that would have required anyone who must register as a sex offender to provide notice to any school attended by that person's child.
One is reallocating $68 million now earmarked for only high-performing schools to instead be spread among all schools on a permanent basis. The approved plan also has a $300 million cash infusion for K-12 schools, albeit on a one-time basis.
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