Wow, The Hill is out in front of our local media here in Arizona.
Arizona Democrats have learned this tactic well from their Texas Democratic counterparts. What’s next? Will they have to resort to this: The last time Texas Democrats broke quorum in the House, they fled to Oklahoma.
Pro Tip: Flee to Nogales, Mexico. Bring your passport. The international border makes jurisdiction far more difficult. The Sergeant at Arms can’t touch you in Mexico (so I’ve been told). Check with House counsel.
UPDATE: Arizona is not like Texas. The Arizona Mirror explains, Dems delay House budget vote, while questions remain in Senate:
Democratic lawmakers forced the House of Representatives to abandon plans to debate and vote on the budget on Tuesday, taking advantage of four Republicans who were attending remotely to ensure there wasn’t a quorum. Lawmakers are able to vote remotely, a rule both legislative chambers implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the House still needs 31 members in the building to reach a quorum, and with four Republicans participating virtually, all of the Democrats except for Minority Leader Reginald Bolding left the building. That ensured there weren’t enough lawmakers to vote on anything.
The delay will be short-lived, at least in the House. Majority Leader Ben Toma, R-Peoria, said Reps. John Fillmore, Travis Grantham, Frank Pratt and Bret Roberts are all expected to attend in person on Thursday, giving the Republicans a quorum and allowing them to pass a budget, regardless of what the Democrats do. And Cook — whose opposition defeated the budget earlier this month — told the Arizona Mirror that he’s now supporting the budget thanks to the proposed changes, giving Republicans the 31 votes they need.
The Hill reports, Arizona state Democrats block debate over budget, tax-cut plan:
Arizona Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday blocked debate over the state’s budget and tax-cut plan, alleging that they were shut out of the negotiation process.
Democrats in Arizona’s state House said in a statement on Tuesday that they withheld quorum for scheduled debate on the measure.
The statement faulted the budgetary proposal for not reflecting Democratic input, and said it “retaliates against teachers and voters because of the 2020 presidential election.”
The Democrats also alleged that it included last-minute changes that were only unveiled Tuesday morning.
Republicans hold a slim 31-29 majority in the Arizona House.
According to The Associated Press, the legislature was poised to vote on a $12.8 billion state budget plan. Lawmakers have to enact a spending plan by June 30 [or the Arizona government will shut down].
The budget includes tax cuts that Democrats have said will help special interests. Democrats had also worried about the budget’s effects on education and schools.
Arizona House Democratic Leader Reginald Bolding blasted the proposal in a statement, and saying the plan “was already a massive gift to campaign donors and special interests, and full of retaliatory attacks on educators and Democratic elected officials.”
“A budget should be developed with all voices at the table, but they don’t want the public to know what is’ in this plan until it’s too late,” Bolding said.
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