Sen. Jack Harper discussed key legislative issues, including important bills, term limits and his bold predictions, in a head-to-head event on 12 News’ “Sunday Square-Off” roundtable.

The following statement is attributed to Speaker Adams and President Burns:

“As a state, we have gone to great lengths to balance a historic budget deficit. The federal health care mandate effectively cancels that out and creates a recipe for fiscal disaster – no thanks to Arizona’s congressional Democrats who voted for this misguided bill. Their votes have unraveled the meaningful budget solutions that took so much effort and hard work these past 14 months.

Senate President Bob Burns and House Speaker Kirk Adams talk about the budget, state debt and other pressing legislative issues on Horizon.

Senate President Bob Burns talks about the state cash crisis in an interview with KPHO, CBS – Channel 5.

Senate President Bob Burns discusses balancing the state budget and handling state debt in an interview with Arizona Public Media.

“Operation Clean Sweep” begins today: Inmates work to better communities, themselves.

Amid economic tough times and budget constraints, a new program launched today that saves taxpayer money, keeps Arizona clean and provides work for inmates.

The Arizona Senate welcomes new Senator Frank Antenori of District 30. Sen. Antenori was sworn in during the floor session Thursday, March 4.

Consistent with his commitment to focus on the state budget crisis, Senate President Bob Burns has suspended all Standing Committee hearings for the week of March 1. The postponement allows members to give full attention to the issue Arizonans want addressed: completing budgets for FY 2010 and FY 2011.

In a Feb. 22, 2010 statement, Senate President Bob Burns described his concerns regarding the problem of Arizona’s growing debt:

“As our state suffers through this current budget crisis, much of the attention has been focused on shrinking revenues and program and agency cuts. What people don’t seem to be talking about is our growing debt.

Senate President Bob Burns and Speaker of the House Kirk Adams discussed the state budget, economy, business, job creation and other priorities Tuesday evening on Horizon.

Monday on Horizon, Sen. Al Melvin discussed Senate Bill 1334, banning text messaging while driving. SB 1334, which Sen. Melvin is sponsoring, sailed through committee on Monday.

Sen. Bunch being sworn in on the Senate Floor on Feb. 10, 2010

The Arizona Senate welcomes new Senator David Braswell, sworn in today during the floor session. Sen. Braswell represents northern Maricopa County in District 6.

Bill signing and festivities to mark first Boy Scouts of America Day and 100th anniversary

WHAT:

Celebration of the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary will include a bipartisan bill signing by Governor Jan Brewer, as well as the Boy Scouts’ annual report and a barbecue. The bill designates February 8 of each year Boy Scouts of America Day.

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.