WHITTLING AWAY AT A BIG STACK OF LEGISLATION
posted by Michael Chihak
A smaller and smaller pile of bills is getting Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's attention, with five days to go before she must make final decisions.
The Legislature sent the governor 168 bills at the end of the session last week. She has about 110 remaining on which to make decisions. Brewer has used her veto a few times, including Tuesday on a bill that would have given to the Legislature what is now her authority over state distribution of federal money.
Among the bills still awaiting decisions from Brewer are these (descriptions from the Arizona Republic):
SB 1322: Requires Phoenix and Tucson to bid out any and all city services valued at $500,000 or more.
SB 1546: Permits the state to acquire federal property through eminent domain unless the property was acquired by the federal government with the consent of the Arizona Legislature or consists of land held by a federally recognized Indian tribe.
SB 1610: Makes the Colt Single-Action Army revolver the state's official firearm.
HB 2067: Among other things, forbids the Arizona Board of Regents from exercising any authority over the nonprofit that governs the hospital affiliated with the University of Arizona for 18 months.
HB 2707: Creates a revenue limit that imposes a ceiling on state spending. The limit is determined by the level of spending in the previous year, adjusted for inflation and population growth.
SB1186: Makes changes to conform Arizona's tax code with provisions in new laws. Includes a provision that allows for increased contributions to school-tuition organizations by permitting a person to claim a tax credit under the individual credit, as well as up to a $250 donation for the corporate tax credit,or $500 for a married couple filing jointly.
SB1406: Allows the governor to build a fence along the Arizona-Mexico border on private, state or federal property if permitted.