Congratulations to the three Republican senators named “Hero of the Taxpayer” by the Arizona chapter of Americans for Prosperity. This highest designation, awarded to legislators who most strongly support the interests of taxpayers, went to Majority Leader Chuck Gray, Sen. Russell Pearce and Sen. Sylvia Allen.

President Burns and Speaker Adams will be on Horizon this week talking about the budget and the opening of the second session of the 49th Legislature. They will appear monthly to give updates from the Capitol.

Arizona Policy Wonk reported there were 18 legislators, including seven senators, who voted on every single measure that reached the floor this past session. All of them were Republicans, and five of them were freshmen.

Set your TiVo or tune in to Horizon tonight at 7 p.m. for the first of monthly appearances on the show with President Burns and Speaker Adams.

President Burns and Speaker Adams were the first guests on Channel 3’s new show Politics Unplugged, which airs Sundays at 5:30 p.m.

President Bob Burns contributed a column to this past Sunday’s Viewpoints in the Arizona Republic. Read about his focus for this legislative session:

Be sure to check out today’s editorial in the East Valley Tribune about balancing immediate and long-term solutions to Arizona’s economic and budget crisis.

12:00 p.m. Second Regular Session Convenes, Senate Chamber

The Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and the Public Debt will meet Monday afternoon to examine the state’s public debt issues. Committee Chairman Sen. John Nelson called the meeting to better inform the public about Arizona’s fiscal status.

STATE OF ARIZONA; JANICE K BREWER,
in her official capacity as Governor
of the State of Arizona; TERRY GODDARD,
in his official capacity as the Attorney General
of the State of Arizona; ROBERT BURNS, in his
official capacity as the President of the Senate of
the State of Arizona; KIRK ADAMS, in his official
capacity as the Speaker of the House of Representatives
of the State of Arizona,

Sen. Al Melvin joins the governor with (from left to right) Major General Hugo E. Salazar, David Hampton from the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services and Sen. Jack Harper at the bill signing for his Gold Star legislation. The new law provides medals to families of Arizona’s fallen service members.

Statement from Senate President Bob Burns on adjourning this special session and what’s next in resolving the budget deficit:

Senate President Bob Burns issued the following statement:

“The Senate, and subsequently, the House, had to adjourn today before completing the final votes to continue our work on closing the huge budget gap when Sen. Thayer Verschoor failed to appear and did not respond to repeated attempts to contact him.

The Arizona Retailers Association has named Sen. Linda Gray Legislator of the Year for her work on a bill toughening penalties for shoplifting that is netting results already.

Arizona Department of Health Services Interim Director Will Humble has stepped up for Arizona’s families. He secured federal funding to help mitigate skyrocketing childcare licensing fees that would have displaced thousands of children and closed many facilities’ doors. Well done.

Legislators should expect a call from the governor to come in Tuesday, Nov. 17 to begin a three-day special session. In the Senate, floor will begin at 3 p.m. and we expect to pray, pledge and first read.

Governor Brewer signed into law an important piece of education legislation today.

The bill, SB1196, sponsored by Senator John Huppenthal, R-Chandler, instituted a series of important education reforms.

For the fifth year in a row, the Goldwater Institute has given Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, the highest score in the entire Arizona Legislature in their annual Legislative Report Card.

“I am shocked and disappointed with First Things First’s refusal to help mitigate skyrocketing childcare licensing costs,” said Sen. Carolyn Allen, R-Scottsdale, in a news release today. Allen, chair of the Senate’s healthcare committee, urges them to review their mission and role in helping Arizona’s children, and provide some relief.