The clock ticks towards a possible government shutdown in Arizona, as the House of Representatives and the Senate clash over the budget. As reported by FOX 10 Phoenix, the Arizona House has passed a stopgap measure known as a continuation budget in an attempt to keep the state's wheels turning. This move comes after negotiations between the House and the Senate hit an impasse, and the governor voiced her disapproval of the contingency plan.
With the June 30 deadline breathing down their necks, lawmakers have moved to avert the shutdown, despite tension between the two chambers. House Speaker Rep. Steve Montenegro defended the decision, stating, "We want to make sure that in the process of us having the conversations and negotiations that need to happen for a budget, that the state is able to function and continue to move forward without a shutdown," Fox 10 Phoenix reported. However, the contingent budget didn't sit well with some members of his caucus. Rep. Oscar De Los Santos criticized the action, stating, "There was so much wrong with it – it was a disaster from start to finish."
This House-passed continuation budget, or skeleton budget, will now face the Senate for approval. A report from Arizona's Family has Speaker Montenegro insisting on the budget's ability to keep the state "open," but also revealing that he sidestepped the question of whether he's willing to risk a shutdown. In the same vein, Rep. David Livingston, playing a key role in the House's budget process, expressed regret over the situation, saying, "I’m sorry, it shouldn’t have come to that. It is unfair that state employees don’t know if they’re supposed to go to work next week."
