The 3 p.m. meeting today with Senate President Bob Burns, House Speaker Kirk Adams and Gov. Jan Brewer was positive and productive. House, Senate and Governor’s staff continue to meet and make progress on the budget.

On Thursday, we will go to Floor after Caucus to Third Read bills and for a possible COW. This means we will be working late on Thursday evening.

Sen. Ron Gould, R- Lake Havasu City, issued the following statement about legislative leadership.

“It is regrettable that we now have another delay in negotiations. It is unfortunate the governor is seeking to involve the courts in an ongoing budget negotiation while the Legislature is still in session. It delays and obstructs the process.”

Senate and House Republican leadership will hold a brief press conference at 1:15pm.

The Briefing will be held in Senate Hearing Room #3.

The Senate passed 29 bills today; 17 with bipartisan support.

Monday, June 15, 2009

9:00 a.m.

• Floor

1:30 p.m.

• Committee on Judiciary

• Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public Deb

The Senate heard four sets of bills today in Committee of the Whole (COW).

Click HERE to watch Senate President Bob Burns and House Speaker Kirk Adams on Horizon this week talking about budget negotiations with the governor.

Read the post on the House Republicans’ website that explains how our budget proposal does not raise taxes in any way.

Update: Members continue to work with the Governor, but there is currently no budget agreement.

The Senate was lucky enough to have two birthdays this week!

Sen. Ron Gould was on the Mike Broomhead Show on KFYI this morning talking about the budget.

Members sang Happy Birthday to Sen. Steve Pierce on the Senate floor today. Sen. Pierce’s son Nelson Pierce and grandson Walker Nelson Pierce were also here to join in the celebration.

One year ago today Sen. Jake Flake, R-Snowflake, passed away at the age of 72 in Show Low, Arizona from injuries he sustained after being thrown from a horse.

Please see the letter below, addressed to the Arizona Board of Regents from the Senate and House Appropriations Committee chairmen explaining that the legislative Republican budget is in compliance with requirements to receive federal stabilization funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Sen. Ron Gould, R-District 3 will appear Wednesday, June 10 on KFYI’s Bruce Jacob’s show. The show will air at 7:05am.

President Burns and Speaker Adams have requested a meeting with Governor Brewer to discuss the passage of a 2010 budget solution.

Arizona’s economy has been severely impacted by the worldwide recession. The recent decline in commercial activity is reflected in the state’s record-setting budget shortfall as demands for government spending continue to outpace the economy’s ability to generate tax revenues.