Brewer calls special session on budget, Medicaid — starting now
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State Rep. Jeff Dial (Chander), via TwitterBrewer signs the proclamation of a special session Tuesday. -
Gov. Jan Brewer called for a special session of the Legislature to begin immediately Tuesday evening, GOP Speaker Andy Tobin had adjourned the House earlier in the day, and legislative leaders had planned to delay consideration of the state budget and Medicaid expansion until Thursday.
While there appears to be a bipartisan majority to add an expansion of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System — the state's implementation of Medicaid — into the budget, conservative leaders in the Legislature have sought to block passage.
Brewer, a strong backer of the increased funding for indigent health care, has vetoed bills in an attempt to push Medicaid expansion. She flexed more political muscle Tuesday as she exercised her power to order the Legislature into session.
"It's time to complete the people's business. No more delays. No more stall tactics. No more games," Brewer tweeted after signing the proclamation of a special session.
With Tobin's move to delay debate until Thursday, the governor stepped in to call lawmakers back, beginning immediately on the 5 p.m. release of her proclamation.
Brewer's order calls for legislators to consider adjustments to the current budget, as well as next year's budget and the changes to AHCCCS that would allow the state to receive federal support under the Affordable Care Act.
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