The Arizona legislature comes back into session today, as Governor Jan Brewer will deliver what could be her last State of the State address this afternoon.
The governor is expected to lay out her agenda for the upcoming session – House Speaker Andy Tobin is hoping the governor will share some good news about CPS, after revelations of more than 6,500 reports of child abuse and neglect the department did not investigate.
"I’m hoping to hear that, ‘Hey, this is the priority and by the way, this is what we’ve achieved so far, and here’s some deadlines,’" Tobin said. "I would hope to hear that first. I would like to hear that we’re going to put some money back into workforce development and education, that pays the folks who are doing most of the work."
Tobin says that includes performance pay for teachers who are doing well. The Paulden Republican says he’d also like the governor to talk about the proposed Interstate 11, which would connect Phoenix to Las Vegas. The state of the state’s child welfare agency is also on the mind of Senate Minority Leader Anna Tovar. The Tolleson Democrat would like to hear the governor talk about progress on looking into the un-investigated cases.
"I would, number one, like to hear how CPS is going to be moving forward, specific solutions," siad Tovar. "I would love to hear how that is going to be. Education – I would love to hear a little bit more about education and hopefully she’ll be funding public education."
The Governor is scheduled to address a joint session of the legislature this afternoon.