After days of gridlock on a $9.2 billion package of budget bills, the Arizona House approved a spending plan for 2015 late Thursday night. It contains $54 million more than the Senate version, including $20 million more for the new cabinet agency that will replace Child Protective Services.
Kate Brophy McGee, one of the dissidents who had refused to go along with the Senate plan, explained the compromise deal.
“It is the intent of the Legislature that when these recommendations are made that the Legislature will re-examine this budget in regard to the structure and needs of the new agency and provide new resources to meet these needs,” Brophy McGee said.
Conservative lawmakers were able to reject amendments to increase funding for issues like Common Core, teacher training, child care subsidies and college financial aid. The measures go to the state Senate which is to meet in a rare Friday session to consider them.