By Hank Stephenson and Ben Giles | Arizona Capitol Times
Though debate lingered on far longer than most lawmakers had hoped, the Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die at 1:46 a.m. Thursday, ending a sometimes tumultuous 101-day legislative session with work left on the table.
Senate President Andy Biggs said he had hoped to finish by 5 or 6 p.m. Wednesday, but lawmakers finally wrapped up their work well past midnight. Frustration had grown in the Senate as the House moved at a snail’s pace on minor bills characterized by assorted delays.
A last minute meltdown over a bill continuing several state boards threatened to stop the Legislature from adjourning, as the Senate refused to move the bill and the House threatened to refuse to adjourn without it. Eventually, the Senate caved, and approved the measure over objections of some Republicans who called it a “travesty” and expressed “outrage” that the business was being done at the last minute.
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