Expected to focus on the budget this term
PHOENIX (AP) _ Arizona's 51st Legislature has opened in Phoenix with sessions in the House of Representatives and Senate.
The Legislature is expected to mainly focus on the budget this term and avoid hot-topic issues like immigration and abortion.
The state is going into the new year with about $1 billion in surplus funds, but a temporary sales tax is expiring at mid-year and business tax breaks passed in 2011 are also still looming. That reality means Brewer and legislative leaders say the budget will be tight.
Women's rally outside the State Capitol as new legislative session begins. Photo by Gregg Paul.
