Sen. Sylvia Allen will chair a new Arizona Senate ad hoc committee on climate initiatives to educate the public about cap and trade tax legislation and the cost to citizens and our economy. The first meeting is set for Monday, June 8 from 8:30 a.m. to noon in Senate hearing room #1.

Starting Monday, June 8, the Senate will begin hearing bills in committee.

The senate passes a 2010 budget and adjourns the floor at 4:00 am.

Republicans will caucus at 5:30pm today on the Senate budget bills. Click HERE to see the caucus calendar for June 3, 2009

This post from Sonoran Alliance sums it up well…

Visitation Information: The family wishes to thank the public for the great outpouring of support. In order to provide more time for people who have been touched by this tragedy, visitation for Kerry, and baby Austin, will be open to the public between 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and between 4 p.m. -7 p.m. on Tuesday June 2, 2009 at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary and Memorial Park, 6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.

Monday, June 1, 2009

• 1:00 p.m. – Floor

• 1:30 p.m. – Committee on Judiciary (not meeting)

• Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public Debt (not meeting)

The new corporate scholarship tax credit law is named after Lexie Weck, a seven-year-old girl with autism, cerebral palsy and mild mental retardation. Weck relied on a voucher program to attend the Chrysalis Academy, a small private school in Tempe that specializes in working with autistic children.

Today’s Arizona Republic editorial sums this issue up well:

Empathy for the downtrodden and needy

Meet Sen. Al Melvin, R-District 26

Republicans reject Democrats’ non-solution to Arizona’s growing budget crisis. Their proposal consists of property tax increases, a massive expansion of items and services subject to sales taxation, and a proposed increase in local sales tax collections.

Our deepest condolences go out to Treasurer Dean Martin. We have been touched and saddened by the sudden passing of his wife Kerry, and son Austin. Kerry Martin was considered a part of our Senate family, and Treasurer Martin and his family are in our thoughts and prayers during this terribly difficult time.

The Legislature passed a bill in special session today to provide continued scholarships for disabled and disadvantaged children. The bill has been transmitted to Governor Brewer for her signature.

Sen. Russell Pearce speaks about the value of SB1001 in the Senate Appropriations committee. The bill provides scholarships to disabled and displaced students.

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX (May 27, 2009) – The Legislature today passed a bill allowing hundreds of our state’s most vulnerable students to avoid disruption and remain in schools that meet their unique educational needs.

(STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX) – The Senate Appropriations Committee today passed legislation to allow hundreds of disabled and foster children in Arizona to remain in their schools, and others the opportunity for stability – some for the first time in their lives.

Schedule for May 25 through May 29, 2009

In a comparison of statistics, the National Education Association (NEA) and the Arizona Tax Research Association (ATRA), effectively demonstrate that the minimal correlation between class size and student achievement inf Arizona’s education system.

The following is Sen. Steve Pierce’s full statement on the budget

The Senate was scheduled to enter into special session at 1:00pm today to hear SB1001. This bill helps the educational needs disabled kids and foster children. Due to the registered absence of 10 Democrats, the special session has been delayed.