The Official Website of the Senate Republican Caucus

Majority Leader to author bill that will put money back into teachers’ paychecks

President-elect Pierce

Senate President-elect Steve Pierce and Majority Leader Andy Biggs announced today a bill will be offered in the upcoming legislative session ending the recent 53% employee/47% employer contribution rate split. That split went into effect in July, as part of the FY 12 budget.  The change plugged a $40 million hole in the budget and reduced employee paychecks.

 The bill will return the contribution rate split

Majority Leader Biggs

 “Last session we made a commitment to Arizonans to deliver a balanced budget. The 53/47 split helped that happen, but many members agreed it was one of the toughest decisions they had to make. Conditions have changed, and I am comfortable now running a bill to repeal 53/47,” says Majority Leader Biggs.

 “The truth is, the economic landscape is very different from March, when these budget negotiations were taking place. Because of our fiscal discipline and an improving economy, revenues are coming in at a much higher clip, and we can reverse this contribution rate change,” says President-elect Pierce.

 “Republican leadership continues to put a high priority on strengthening education during these difficult times. We held K-12 reductions to about one percent last year. Today’s announcement is another way to honor the hard work of our district and charter school teachers,” says Pierce.

Senator Smith

http://www.azcentral.com/video/1336856351001

http://www.azpm.org/politics/story/2011/12/15/1830-new-senate-president-weighs-in-on-2012/

Tea Party to meet Sat. Dec. 17 in Community Center

Senator Griffin

A Tea Party meeting will be held Dec, 17 at Benson Community Center from 10 a.m. to noon. Speakers are Sen. Gail Griffin LD 25 speaking about border issues and Clair Van Steenwyk, candidate for US Senate in 2012.

President-elect Steve Pierce made an appearance on Channel 8′s HORIZON Wednesday night, to talk about the upcoming legislative session.

http://tinyurl.com/7h8g9nw

Senate President-elect Steve Pierce sat down with Frank Camacho to talk about the upcoming session

http://www.azfamily.com/news/politics/politicsunpluggedstevepierce1-135033048.html

http://www.azfamily.com/news/politics/politicsunpluggedstevepierce2-135033273.html

December 5, 2011

To All Senators, Representatives, Staff, Lobbyists, and members of the public

 RE:     Dual Introduced Identical Bills

In preparation for the upcoming Second Regular Session, we would like to forego the practice of introducing identical bills in the House and the Senate.  We understand it is considered a fast track method for substitution in the opposite chamber, but it will result in a bill being further assigned to the appropriate committee when the bill crosses over and this creates redundancy in the process.  We strongly encourage the Committee Chairs to coordinate on key legislative priorities and identify which sponsor and chamber will initiate the measure.  We recognize there will be instances where agreements may not be made in this regard, and many issues have multiple advocates, but please make every effort to avoid dual introduction.

 On a similar note, we encourage you to be conservative in the overall number of bills you introduce.  The success of legislation is dependant on the commitment of its sponsor.  Our goal is to continue to work within the legislative timelines and conclude our business in an efficient manner.  We intend to work with all of you to facilitate that outcome.

 Thank you for your consideration.  We look forward to working with all of you.

 Regards,

 STEVE PIERCE                  

Senate President-elect

 ANDY TOBIN

  Speaker of the House