By Hank Stephenson | Arizona Capitol Times
As Gov. Doug Ducey begins the push to approve his budget proposal, some lawmakers worry they once again may be left behind.
Last year, legislators were left smarting when the governor and Republican legislative leadership negotiated the budget behind closed-doors. They largely locked rank-and-file lawmakers out of the whirlwind budget process.
Although many Republicans opposed the governor’s spending plan when it was introduced, almost every Republican voted for it after a round of speed-negotiating, arm twisting and horse trading. And some regretted it.
Republican Rep. Noel Campbell of Prescott was among the Republican lawmakers who voted for the budget. But after he received criticism from constituents, Campbell said he regretted his vote.