A compromise budget has passed the State House, but conservatives hoping for major victories will be disappointed. While the State House is making improvements to the overall budget, like reducing spending by approximately $100 million and speeding infrastructure work, House leaders didn’t have a strong hand to play, and that was borne out in the final results.
“When the Governor and the Senate are against you, there is only so much you can do,” said one Capitol lobbyist, “so the House got what it could and that’s that.”
The Senate is expected to pass the budget on Friday and convey it to Hobbs, who is expected to sign it shortly after, before the June 30th end of fiscal year deadline.
After weeks of battling against House conservatives, Senate President Warren Petersen sounded a conciliatory note, saying “We were able to reach a consensus to fund the core functions of government. I appreciate the collaboration with the House over the past few days to get this spending plan across the finish line.”
House Speaker Steve Montenegro, who led the passage of two far more conservative budgets, both of which were vetoed by Hobbs, voted for the compromise budget, as did the majority of Republicans in the State House. Among the wins touted by the State House were pay raises and major funding increases for public safety, permanent property tax exemptions for 100% disabled, low-income veterans, increases for major highway projects to relieve congestion on I-10 and in the West Valley, and reforms to government programs that they say will help to prevent fraud and better protect taxpayers.
“You’re not going to get a real conservative budget signed by a Democrat Governor, especially when the Senate is negotiating against the House, so the handful of members sounding off on social media trying to act like they’re the only good guys are flat out lying,” said one frustrated Representative, adding “We fought hard and to the end, and we got some good wins, but we’re not going to get big wins until we elect a Republican Governor.”
No disappointment here because there was no high expectation. There could not have been any from a Democrat and left leaning RINO body with weak leadership.
can’t pass gas with the majority ! SHUT IT DOWN – let them own it