July 31
8:00 a.m.

Despite desperate attempts by Senate President Bob Burns and Governor Jan Brewer, the Senate does not have enough votes to pass a budget. It is time for them to realize that this flawed budget does not deserve to be passed and to go to work through a bipartisan process on a new budget solution.

But rather than admitting this budget does not have support, they continue to use strong-arm tactics to force senators to vote for this partisan budget.

At 6:00 a.m. the Senate President finally told Senate members they could go home and sleep, but he did not adjourn the Senate. Instead, it is recessed until 1:00 p.m. this afternoon.

At 6:00 a.m. the governor and Senate President Burns were still holding Senator Pamela Gorman (R-Anthem) in the Senate President's office attempting to convince her to change her vote, although she strongly opposes the budget.

Minutes ago, the 1:00 p.m. meeting of the Senate was cancelled, and the Senate is officially adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4.

One hundred AEA March4Schools activists led by AEA Vice President Andrew Morrill kept vigil at the capitol during the process yesterday and there were still fifteen teachers, parents and education supporters in the gallery at 6:00 a.m. this morning when the Senate President finally recessed the Senate. When the Senate decided to recess, there were more education supporters in the gallery than Senate budget supporters on the Senate floor,

Constant March4Schools contact with key senators, testimony, and visible coverage by the media have helped support senators who are attempting to hold firm against this budget - a budget that contains massive education cuts and huge tax breaks for the rich.

Continued citizen action is needed to force the governor and Republican leadership to sit down with the Democratic leadership in the Legislature and negotiate a budget that moves Arizona forward in these difficult times.

Mark your calendars to be at the capitol Tuesday afternoon August 4 to continue the AEA March4Schools protest of the budget. Go to www.march4schools.com for details on exact times and logistics.