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Arizona House Still Discussing Budget

Another day of budget negotiations is on tap at the state capitol. Dissident Republicans met with leadership off and on all day Tuesday. They want the $9.2 billion spending plan approved last week in the Senate, expanded to fund their own priorities. Among them is the governor’s Division of Child Welfare, which is to replace Child Protective Services.

One of the holdouts, state Rep. Kate Brophy McGee, says she’s optimistic about reaching a deal.

“We're meeting, we're talking, we're continuing to converse, and we're closer than we were before,” Brophy McGee said.

Brophy McGee says that’s a change from earlier in the week, when the GOP leadership attempted to ram the budget through the Republican-controlled House. There are also other issues, including whether the state will eliminate the ability of school districts to create charter schools. Some House members see that as a money-grab to get additional state aid for the districts.

Dennis Lambert was a morning host at KJZZ.