Rum, Romanism and Rebellion

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12:30 Your intrepid blogger, signing off.

12:29 It looks like they are just passing a series of non-budget bills. It’s not like the clock is ticking anymore, I guess.

12:28 Verschoor, jacketless and open colared, is leaning back in his chair Blackberrying.

12:27 COW report adopted. Now they are resolving into COW again. Geez.

12:24 I may blow out of here soon. No way I can stay till the end of this. I like what the senate dems are doing here though.

12:23 T + 23

12:22 Linda Lopez uses her explanation of her vote to talk about Jim McNulty.

12:20 Hale brings up the TPT revenue issue again. Hale compares the situation to colonialism. Not far from the truth, really.

12:17 Another amendment from Hale, complete with a roll call vote.

12:15 Point of information, President Burns, what time is it?

12:14 I’m noticing that the “vote explanations” are wordier than they need to be. We saw that in the case of Burton-Cahill’s speech it irritates some of the Republicans, but they are allowed to talk as long as they want. Folks are leaving the gallery.

12:12 Yet another party line vote on an amendment by Hale, this one to restore funding to the Comission on Indian Affairs.

12:11 There is talking on the floor.

12:09 Republican member tries to stop Burton-Cahill’s speech with a point of order. President rules it out of order.

12:08 Burton-Cahill acknowledges that it is after midnight and that legislators are passing poor policy.

12:06 Several democratic house members are on the floor.

12:03 The clock has been turned off. The only acknowledgement that we are past the deadline comes when Landrum-Taylor introduces her amendment to get more money for schools by saying “Good Morning.”

12:00 BANG!

11:59 I just noticed that there is no clock in the chamber to reset. At least none I can see. Patterson is on the floor talking to Lopez.

11:58 Iron Maiden time: two minutes to midnight.

11:56 Four minutes. Aboud calls for another roll call vote, this time on additional money for DES targeted at the elderly and disabled.

11:55 Five minutes. House in recess.

11:53 Rios amendment to restore some funding to DES.

11:51 Aboud amendment to restore nutrition programs for the elderly. Once again, getting individual republicans on record.

11:50 Ten minutes.

11:49 These are the same amendments from before.

11:48 Lopes amendment, another roll call.

11:47 Landrum-Taylor introduces another amendment on KidsCare, this time with a roll call vote to get these guys on the record voting against it.

11:46 Yes he is, and it violates Senate rules.

11:45 Is Huppenthal on a cellphone?

11:43 Roll call on Landrum-Taylor amendment. This will fail, but gets individual Republicans on record.

11:42 Garcia has amendment about equalization tax. Jack Harper makes snide comment about Garcia having more face time with the governor than he does. Do we expect anything less?

11:41 Will these guys have to resort to what Pete Rios did back in the early 1990’s? Reset the clock?

11:40 Twenty minutes.

11:38 Burns takes presiding chair. Applause. Yeah, I explained that one.

11:37 Report from house says that Bradley has a stemwinder.

11:36 Lopez amenmendment for stable teacher contracts. Jackass a couple of rows behind me says “shutup.”

11:36 Burton-Cahill amendment to offer RIFed teachers first opportunity for rehire.

11:35 Report from the house: Rep. McComish is asleep.

11:34 Division, standing vote, fails.

11:33 Rios’s amendment takes out language to limit political activities by teachers. She points out that it is punitive.

11:32 Division and standing vote. Still fails.

11:31 Lopez points out that support for supplies in the flat tax bill is irrelevant since the flat tax is no longer on the calendar.

11:30 Rios has amendment for “soft capital” for schools, which would cover supplies. I have a vague idea how this vote will go.

11:28 Hale amendment to provide aid to schools on reservations and military bases, which have a negligible tax base. Failed. Of course.

11:25 Burton-Cahill “Someone called this a political Katrina, it is a public policy Katrina.”

11:24 Burns claims not to be “aware” of park closings. I was, what’s up with him?

11:23 Meg Burton-Cahill asks a question of Burns about park closings, which was already happening this afternoon.

11:22 John Huppenthal is sporting some sort of “oh so casual” look. Jeans (George Will would throw a fit) a suit coat and, I think, a polo shirt.

11:20 Linda Gray moves adpotion. First Republican I’ve seen speak ‘cept for the presiding officer.

11:19 Meg Burton-Cahill tries to remove any reference to impact fees. Also, Aboud tried to mandate appointments of members from both parties to a gubernatorial commission. Once again, no dice.

11:18 Forty two minutes.

11:16 Kenny Jacobs is keeping up with the House. According to him, quoth Clovis Campbell: “Tonight I am embarrassed to be a member of this legislature.”

11:14 In the flurry of amendments, Republican members have been silent except for voting no.

11:13 Hale points out that under the current system, nations and tribes need specific appropriations for projects rather than being able to make those decisions locally.

11:12 Hale introduces bill allowing more tax money generated on reservations to be spent on reservations.

11:11 Garcia and Aboud go after the changes in property taxes.

11:10 Aboud rises in support. Since the idea makes sense, it fails.

11:08 Garcia introduces amendment to expand sales tax revenue to services that aren’t currently taxed while at the same time reducing the sales tax rate. The Goldwater Institute was intrigued by this idea earlier this year.

11:07 These amendments failed, but the Republicans as a group are on record opposing things like KidsCare. It’s like they are writing hit pieces for the Democrats to use next year.

11:06 Aboud had another amendment, and Aguirre too…both failed. Now it’s Lopez’s turn.

11:03 Paula Aboud introduces amendment regarding same sex partner benefits. Fails too.

11:02 Amenment fails, of course. Gotta give those kids a lesson in freedom by denying them health care.

11:01 Leah Landrum-Taylor introduces an amendment to restore funding to KidsCare. Aboud rises in support.

10:59 Moved over to the Senate. Gallery isn’t as thick with folks. Rebecca Rios is introducing a series of amendments in a last ditch effort to keep the worst cuts from happening. It is a nice effort, but it ain’t working.

10:51 Sinema points out that the bill could privatize death row. Yep. You smell that? That’s freedom.

10:47 It’s been pointed out to me that we are in for a series of party line votes over here in the house, but that the senate is back in session. The budget bills have apparently passed the house and only need senate action. We may head over there in a bit.

10:46 Farley points out that this trailer includes the lease-purchase agreement for prisons. Objects because there is no guarantee that we will make the money that is promised by the bill’s proponents. He also objects to mortgaging our prisons, which we own free and clear now.

10:43 Chabon notes that we will be going to special session, and calls for more involvement from both parties.

10:41 Chabon is arguing that the package should not be sent without the sales tax. He is blaming “gridlock” that is within the Repubican caucus.

10:40 One hour and twenty minutes.

10:38 Farley objects to bill that contains moratorium on impact fees and building codes.

10:34 Need to back up…feed bill passed 33-26-1. NV- Olivia Cajero-Bedford, party line otherwise ‘cept for Biggs and Burges voting no with the Democats.

10:33 Chad Campbell speaks.

10:26 Note for novices: the bill is actually “read” by a reading clerk but in a way that calls to mind the Dick Tracy villain Mumbles on amphetamines.

10:25 Gavel…third read.

10:24 “Sanctuary Cities” bill is locked up in the senate too, but it is unlikely that that’s a situation that Russell Pearce will allow to last for long.

10:21 Update on something I wrote earlier: the ADEQ continuation has apparently moved out of rules in the senate, but still needs to go to a final vote. If they sine die without any action on it, sayonara. Senators are in a mood to end this thing as quickly as possible.

10:18 New speaker pro temporae: Steve Yarbrough. Usual applause when they switch speaker pro-tems, like they are putting in a new left back for fresh legs or something.

10:17 Further Analysis: Farley seems to be the loud guy.

10:14 Discussion between Farley and Chabin regarding property taxes. By the way, Roger, Charleston includes on ex-Tucson Amigo, Dusty Huddock.

10:12 I just got a text from someone pointing out that the Dems should have pointed out the troubles with these amendments when they were COWed. I don’t know how they could have, since there was little time for discussion and they would probably prefer to let the Republicans live with their mistakes.

10:10 Farley points out what I said, that with the bills coming so fast and furious, errors like the one that just had to be fixed are inevitable.

10:08 Roger informs me that the Revs went down to to the Harrisburg City Islanders in the Open Cup tonight. Well, Harrisburg is the top team in USL-2. Ugh.

10:07 By the way, for the math challenged among you: 1 hour and 53 minutes to pass something.

10:05 Gavel. There was a drafting error in one of the amendments. This is what happens when you hurry.

9:59 While we are still waiting, more definitions: COW is committee of the whole, the entire body meets as a committee to do the final amendments to a bill and for, theoretically, discussion and deliberation. Didn’t seem to work that way tonight.

9:57 Gallery is becoming more boisterous.

9:51 Definition time: Kenny Jacobs referenced a “BrB” in the comments. That’s a Budget Reconcilliation Bill, a bill that clairifies and specifies spending in the main “feed” bill. The feed bill, you may remember, was the one that had to be refered to the senate education committee after it died in appropriations.

9:48 I have been informed that they are waiting for the bills to be engrossed for third read. Basically, making sure that the amendment language is in the bills.

9:38 Speaker Pro-tem said something I don’t get…I think he was announcing a further delay but wants everyone to stay seated.

9:37 More thumb twiddling.

9:34 Speaker pro-temporae calls the body to order.

9:28 Apparently, the delay is due to the house budget being in conflict with the senate budget. No time for a conference committee. They will have to amend what they have passed to make this work, if they can agree on that. Current thinking: June 4th submitted to governor, and she line item vetoes a big chunk of it and vetoes the “trailers,” including those that would allow us to get stimulus money. Look forward to a special session.

9:26 About twenty minutes ago, the governor started negotiating with the Democrats.

9:22 Yeah, I don’t know what is going on right now either. Could be a delay while they are whipping members for a vote on the budget. I don’t see anyone being called into the speaker’s office, though.

9:18 Kyrsten Sinema is convening a war council on the floor with about eight Democratic members. Some Republicans are gathered near the podium.

9:14 Too quiet.

9:13 Things on the floor are quiet.

9:10 One guy likes saying “Nay” excedingly loud. I’m sitting with Donna Gratehouse and Caitlin Jensen. Donna thinks it’s Schapira. I don’t think so.

9:09 The gallery is full, a mix of blackberry addicted lobbyists and teachers with buttons and t-shirts.

9:08 Three minutes and two more bills. Welcome to deliberative democracy.

9:04 They are now debating an another amendment to the same bill that is nearly identical to Schapira’s amendment, the difference is that this one was authored by a Republican. Schapira objects. He points out that it doesn’t matter what the amendment is, but who writes it. Of course, the amendment now passes with a different author. It is blatantly obvious what this is all about to these people.

9:03 Code Pink is here. This is now a circus.

9:02 Never mind, motion fails.

9:01 Wow…division. Schapira may pass his amendment. Thank heaven for small victories.

9:00 Colloquy between Schapira and Daniel Patterson, giving Schapira the chance to explain that the language that Crandall objects to was written in consultation with Crandall.

8:59 Rich Crandall complains that Schapira’s language is too vague and may mandate consultation with school janitors.

8:58 David Schapira has an amendment to HB2648, and actually explains it!

8:56 Lobbyist in front of my is surprised that members aren’t explaining their votes. Welcome to Sine Die. It is Sine Die, ennit?

8:55 HB2647. Steve is right…these things are coming too quick to be seriously discussed.

8:54 House is COWing HB2646. Steve Farley is objecting because the bills are coming too quickly.

8:48 Past enemy lines in the Republican caucus room. They are currently in recess. The current plan is to send the budget to the governor, but without the sales tax. The house is currently in “committee of the whole.” Heading over there.

8:19 More milling around on the floor. The bells have sounded but the house is still in recess. I plan to go up to the gallery in a few minutes. I want to hold off to make sure my battery is charged.

8:13 On the way up, I was saddened to hear news of the death of James McNulty. I will write about him and what he meant to me later when I can take time to write something that does his life justice.

I’m hanging out in Steve Farley’s office. He just went to the floor because he’s a bit uncomfortable with who is milling around down there. He expects the leaders to send up the budget they’ve got without the sales tax. This budget is, as we know, not balanced.