PHOENIX (AP) - A Democratic legislative leader is criticizing Republican Gov. Jan Brewer for being out of state while efforts to close out a special legislative session faltered.

Majority Republicans came up one vote short on a key budget-balancing bill and legislative leaders then adjourned the special session into next week. That casts doubt on whether
spending cuts to help close the state's $2 billion budget shortfall
will be approved.

House Minority Leader David Lujan questioned why Brewer called the special session and then went to Texas to attend a Republican governors meeting, when it turns out the session didn't work out as planned.

Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman says she relied on Republican legislative leaders' assurances that they had votes lined up.
      
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