The Arizona State Senate is on break indefinitely as select lawmakers work behind the scenes on a new state spending plan.
Lawmakers in both the Senate and House have been on a sporadic schedule as they approach the end of this year’s legislative session and a June 30 deadline to pass a budget that Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs would agree to sign.
Lawmakers are done with almost all their other legislative business, but nudge negotiations don’t seem to be moving quickly.
"If you haven't heard: budget discussions have started," Hobbs said during a roundtable discussion with healthcare executives on Thursday.
The Republican-controlled House and Senate first took a break on May 7. Both chambers have only returned to the Capitol for a single day of work since then– May 20 in the House, and May 28 in the Senate.
Currently, House members are scheduled to return on June 4. Senate President Warren Petersen says he will notify senators when he wants them back to work.
Last year, the Legislature passed a budget and adjourned on June 15.
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