Special Session Senate Bill 1003 is one of a series of bills lawmakers are using to deal with the current budget shortfall and also future projected budget shortfalls. SB 1003 allows the state to raise money in two different ways. First, it allows Arizona to sell and lease back more state buildings. Earlier this year, the state sold and leased back the Capitol building in order to raise money to make the monthly school payment. This bill allows the sale of buildings to $300 million. The buyback provisions of the leases would last for 20 years and the sale must be completed by the end of September 2010. The other part of this bill allows the state to issue $450 million worth of lottery bonds. Those bonds would mature in 20 years. They could not be counted as state debt according to the proposal. The bill passed the full Senate on February 2, 2010 on a 19-9 vote.
Pima County Delegation Vote
- Paula Aboud (D) –Yes
- Al Melvin (R)-Yes
- Jonathan Paton (R)-No
- Linda Lopez (D) – Yes
Full Senate Vote on Special Session SB 1003
Update:
On February 9, 2010 the full House voted on Special Session Senate Bill 1003. A number of members spoke out against the proposal because they said putting the state in debt through bonds for 20 years to take care of this years needs is a bad business practice. No local lawmakers spoke on the proposal. It passed the House on a 31-27 vote.
Votes of Pima County House Members on Special Session SB 1003
Frank Antenori (R) – No
David Bradley (D) – Yes
Olivia Cajero Bedford (D) – No
Steve Farley (D) – Yes
David Gowan (R) – No
Matt Heinz (D) – Yes
Phil Lopes (D) –Yes
Daniel Patterson (D) – No
Vic Williams (R) – Yes
Nancy Young Wright (D) – No
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