Weekly Report

Nothing new to report on the English Language Learner situation. The parties met several times last week, but no progress was made. Leadership is still intent on suing the Governor over what we consider an illegal veto. The Speaker told me that he has contacted a very famous attorney (I'm not comfortable naming him at the moment) to take on the case. He's interested, but the stumbling block is his fee. I don't know how that will be resolved.

Both of my bills passed their first committee unanimously, for which I was very grateful. I did not go on the Friday Yuma trip. The Rules attorneys decided that no bills could be voted on outside the Capitol so my rural residency plan was heard in the regular Wednesday Health Committee session. That was the only reason for my planning to travel to Yuma, so instead I returned to Bullhead City to attend to a sick husband.

They now go to Appropriations (B) on Tuesday and I'm hoping for similar results there. This is one of my committees, so I should have some influence! This should be a very busy week, as we try to hear all of the bills that have not yet gone through the committee process, and those that have but need an appropriations hearing. We are working hard, but I don't believe we can meet the early adjournment date first proposed.

The Lincoln Day Dinner in Bullhead City was a very nice event. Kudos to Ray Lackey (and Sue, of course) and the other PCs for all the work they put in. Secretary of State Jan Brewer provided an interesting discussion of what she had to do to implement the voter I.D. portion of Prop. 200. She also stressed how important it was to re-elect Sen. Jon Kyl -- and of course, to elect a Republican Governor.

I hope there will be a breakthrough on ELL this week. We're getting very close to the deadline when the fines increase to $1M a day.

Until next week,

Nancy