Arizona legislature expected to vote this week on CPS money

January 29, 2013

State lawmakers appear to be fast-tracking measures that would give money to Child Protective Services, and the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission. From Phoenix, KJZZ’s Mark Brodie has more.

MARK BRODIE: The Senate Appropriations Committee will hear the two bills Wednesday. One would allocate $4.4 million to CPS. In her budget proposal, Governor Brewer asked for the money right away, so the agency could hire 50 new workers. The governor’s office says CPS reports have increased 32 percent since 2009. The second bill would give the IRC $500,000 to pay its legal bills. That’s less than the commission requested, but legislative leaders say half a million dollars should get the IRC through a trial, scheduled for March, dealing with the new legislative maps. Both the House and Senate could vote on the two bills this week, meaning they could get to the governor by the end of the week.