PHOENIX (AP) - A fight over a proposal to increase Arizona's statute of limitations for lawsuits alleging childhood molestations has thrown a new wrinkle into already contentious state budget negotiations.
Republican Sen. Paul Boyer says he won't vote for a budget unless the statute of limitations for a victim of childhood sex assaults to sue is raised. Senate President Karen Fann said Thursday she won't put that up for a vote until a deal is struck with opponents.
Republican Sen. J.D. Mesnard also says he'll hold out unless lawmakers buck Gov. Doug Ducey's plan to pocket excess cash the state expects because of the 2017 federal income tax overhaul.
With Mesnard and Boyer refusing to back a deal, Fann lacks the needed 16 GOP votes to get a budget passed.
