SETTING A BLISTERING PACE

PHOENIX, March 9 – The budget was officially approved on the 54th day of the session, the quickest a budget has been dispatched in recent memory. Capitol Reports records show that lawmakers in 2010 approved a budget in 60 days (March 11), and the session ended in 109 days (April 29). In 2011, the session ended in 100 days (April 20), but the budget took 82 days (April 1) to pass. Additionally, in 2005, GOP lawmakers sent a budget to Napolitano in 67 days, only to see her veto it. The budget that year was ultimately passed in May, and session lasted 124 days.