Associated Press - November 19, 2009 8:14 AM ET
PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona legislators hope to conclude a special session Thursday, with House and Senate voting scheduled on bills to close about a quarter of the state's $2 billion midyear budget shortfall.
The Senate on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to three budget bills that include $292 million in spending cuts for K-12 schools' equipment purchases and Department of Economic Security social services. Other budget changes in the bills take the total impact of the package to an estimated $462 million.
The House took Wednesday off and plans to hold a committee hearing on the legislation this morning before debate and formal voting by the entire chamber. The special session began Tuesday.
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