MORE BAD NEWS FOR ARIZONA

The state Senate passed a budget bill that includes Gov. Brewer's original plan to kick 280,000 off AHCCS, the state's Medicaid program.

Arizona lawmakers pass budget plan with deep cuts
by Mary Jo Pitzl - Mar. 17, 2011 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Brewer has yet to publicly weigh in on the Senate proposal, although late Tuesday she unveiled her latest plan for curbing Medicaid costs - a scaled-down version of her original proposal to cut 280,000 people from the rolls. It would eliminate about 100,000 people and save the state an estimated $500 million. Several Republicans said the plan was a non-starter because it didn't cut enough. The Senate budget includes the original Brewer plan.