Arizona Legislature approves budget-reduction bill

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Legislature has approved a bill to reduce the state’s big budget shortfall as lawmakers concluded a three-day special session.

The House on Saturday approved majority Republicans’ bill on a partyline vote of 32-22The Senate approved it Thursday.

The bill would use spending cuts, raids on special funds and other changes to reduce the current budget’s $1.6 billion shortfall by $193 million.

The cuts include lump sum midyear funding reductions of 7.5 percent for most agencies. Expected and predicted effects from those cuts and other provisions include state employee pay cuts, park closures and reductions in social programs.

Gov. Jan Brewer’s spokesman says she likely will sign the bill after reviewing its provisions over the weekend.