PHOENIX — The Arizona State Senate returned Friday and voted to adjourn for the year.
It was a bi-partisan decision but it was not unanimous. Six Republicans voted no, arguing lawmakers should not be going home in the middle of the COVID 19 crisis, when the constituents are being asked to go back to work.
"We need to work together, we need to work with the governor and the house. We need a plan," said State Senator David Livingston (R) Peoria.
Lawmakers are concerned about the impact the virus is having on Arizona. Four hundred thousand people are unemployed. Senator Vince Leach (R) Tucson told members the cost to the state could reach a billion dollars.
Adjourning means any future action will need to be done thru a special session. Senate President Karen Fann lawmakers will be called back to deal specifically with COVID 19 issues.
The adjournment places the House in the awkward position of having the Senate out of the session while it continues to work. Even if there is nothing really the House can work on.
