PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Legislature convenes for a 2010 session that will be dominated by the state’s budget crisis on Monday.
The state faces a midyear shortfall of at least $1.4 billion in the current $8.4 billion budget. A deficit more than twice that big is projected for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.
Other expected topics for legislative consideration include providing tax breaks to spur economic development, cracking down on illegal immigration, expanding gun owners’ rights and prohibiting texting while driving.
The session begins with separate House and Senate floor sessions at noon.
The lawmakers then hold a joint session in the House chamber at 1:45 p.m. to hear Gov. Jan Brewer’s first State of the State address.