The Medicaid expansion plan approved by the Senate late Thursday is pretty much dead on arrival at across the courtyard, House Speaker Andy Tobin said Friday.

In an historic move, a group of Republican senators united with Democrats Thursday to approve the plan by Gov. Jan Brewer to sharply expand the state's Medicaid program.

Senate Republicans are proposing a nearly $8.8 billion spending plan for the coming year, a tiny -- 1.6 percent -- hike over current levels.

Calling the governor's proposal unacceptable and politically dead at the Legislature, House Speaker Andy Tobin unveiled his own new plan Tuesday to expand Medicaid, one that would give Arizona voters the final say.

School districts in the East Valley are working the numbers to figure how much they will have to pay utilities, pay teachers next year or spend on textbooks.

They aren't close to going home.

Saying she's run out of patience, Gov. Jan Brewer will veto any bills sent to her until she sees movement on a new state budget and her pet Medicaid expansion project.

Facing a recalcitrant Senate president, Gov. Jan Brewer said Monday she is working instead with individual lawmakers in her bid to expand the state's Medicaid program that may need to bypass Andy Biggs.

The fight to expand Medicaid in Arizona continues as Gov. Brewer pushes the Legislature to pursue legislation to expand coverage to include folks up to 133 percent of poverty guidelines.

As “Opponents of Brewer’s Medicaid plan speak out” it rapidly becomes obvious that they are obsessed with forcing their personal, misguided value systems on we citizens.

Scrambling to find votes for her Medicaid expansion plan, Gov. Jan Brewer said Thursday she is now willing to approve legislation to stop Planned Parenthood from getting any of the funds.

The Arizona Legislature has gone from the fast track to stuck in the mud as lawmakers have become bogged down by the three key issues: Medicaid, sale taxes and the state budget.

The Governor’s plan to add more than 300,000 Arizonans to the Medicaid rolls will do nothing more than facilitate and expand ObamaCare. Voters clearly expressed their will to reject implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) via Proposition 106 in 2010. If this expansion goes through, nearly one fourth of all Arizonans will receive free taxpayer-paid medical care. This isn’t a ”safety net” for the poorest citizens. It is an incentive program for socialized medicine.

The Medicaid Restoration plan put forth by Gov. Brewer is a prudent economic option that helps our state stay competitive while serving those who are most vulnerable. We need a solution that works with us to reinstate coverage for those in need, while remaining fiscally responsible by reigning in the out of control costs of uncompensated care. The Governor’s plan is an excellent solution for Arizonans since it allows our hospitals and providers to continue giving the very best standard and quality of care, while reducing stress on taxpayers and the general fund to pay for the costs of uncompensated care.

Foes of the governor’s plan to expand the state’s Medicaid program laid out their objections and alternatives Thursday, including one that actually would dump thousands of people from the program who are now getting care.

Three term state Sen. Al Melvin announced Monday he intends to run for governor this coming year.

Gun rights

Saying there are technical problems with the proposal, Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed legislation Friday which would have allowed individuals to shop around for the best price on health care needs.