State Glance

GOP lawmakers plan to prepare state budget proposal earlier

PHOENIX — The Arizona Legislature’s majority Republicans plan to have their own state budget proposal for the next fiscal year on the table before Gov. Doug Ducey presents his own version in midJanuary.

The Arizona Capitol Times reports that’d be a departure from recent years when governors released their budget proposals before lawmakers settled on their wish-lists.

Senate Majority Leader Rick Gray said GOP lawmakers want Ducey to know early on what they want to do with over $600 million not already allotted in preliminary budget formulas.

Possible uses for that money include increasing spending for state programs and bolstering the state’s reserves.

House Appropriations Chairman Regina Cobb said she’s been reaching out to rank-and-file House Republicans and that key lawmakers will begin meeting soon to start drafting a budget proposal.

Mesa police: Officers fatally shoot man who pointed gun

MESA — Mesa police say a 27-year-old man is dead after being shot by officers after he allegedly pointed a gun at them.

Police said the shooting occurred Saturday after officers responded to a call about an armed man looking into vehicles at a truck repair business.

According to police, employees of the business near the Loop 202 freeway and Alma School Road after noticing the man, confronting him and seeing he had a gun.

No officers or employees of the business were injured.

No identities were released.