Special Session Senate Bill 1002 reduces the amount of money given to education in the current fiscal year by putting off payments until the next fiscal year which begins July 1, 2010. Special Session SB 1002 keeps $350 million owed to the K-12 system in the general fund right now. It directs that the money be paid after July 1st but before August 29th.
The bill also defers $100 million in payments owed to the state university system. That money would be paid to the three state universities after July 1st and before the end of October. The bill passed the full Senate on a 19-9 vote.
- Tucson Delegation Votes
- Paula Aboud (D) – Yes
- Al Melvin (R)-Yes
- Jonathan Paton (R) – No
- Linda Lopez (D) – Yes
Full Senate Vote on Special Session SB 1002
Update
On February 10, 2010 the full House voted on the proposal but not without controversy. Before the final vote was taken local Representative Frank Antenori (R) proposed an amendment to the bill. Antenori’s change required House Bill (HB) 2250, which he is a major sponsor of, to pass before the education deferment goes into law. The amendment passed the House on a 30-23 vote.
HB 2250 is a bill that calls for future tax cuts and tax breaks right now for business owners who create jobs. It has already passed the House and is still awaiting a vote in the Senate. Some House members, including Tucson Representative Vic Williams (R) said adding the amendment to the education payment delay dooms it in the Senate. His opinion was backed up by a number of senior House members. Pima County Representative Nancy Young Wright (D) said the move took her breath away and believed it was a new low for the House. In the end, the bill passed on a 31-26 vote. It now heads back to the Senate for another vote.
Votes of Pima County House Members on Special Session Senate Bill 1002
Frank Antenori (R) – Yes
David Bradley (D) – No
Olivia Cajero Bedford (D) – No
Steve Farley (D) – No
David Gowan (R) – Yes
Matt Heinz (D) – No
Phil Lopes (D) –No
Daniel Patterson (D) – No
Vic Williams (R) – No
Nancy Young Wright (D) – No
Full House Vote on Special Session SB 1002
Update
Special Session SB 1002 died without a final vote when the House and Senate adjourned the special session on February 11, 2010
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