IN FOCUS - June 20, 2025

The Arizona Senate adjourned sine die early Friday, immediately following its approval of a $17.5 billion General Fund budget for fiscal year 2026. The upper chamber abruptly ended its work for the year … in apparent frustration at House legislators who had already adjourned Thursday afternoon.

The House is scheduled to return to the Capitol on Monday, but the real question is: what then? Will a bipartisan coalition emerge to approve the Senate budget? Does an impasse continue, with House leaders refusing to bring the Senate plan to a vote? Or might a third path emerge … potentially with the House and Senate approving a status-quo budget that maintains current levels of State spending until legislators return to the Capitol later this summer or fall? It’s anyone’s guess at this point.

If it all sounds a bit dreary, here’s some good news (for D-backs fans, anyway): the Senate approved legislation clearing the way for a major renovation of Chase Field. The measure, HB 2704, allows the Dbacks to claim a portion of revenue from sales at Chase Field. Those dollars, together with $250 million the team’s ownership group has pledged to put forward, would fund capital improvements at the stadium. The House approved an earlier version of the bill but now needs to concur with the Senate changes so the package can be sent to Governor Hobbs for consideration.