THE 2013 LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTS TUESDAY. AND GOVERNOR MARTINEZ IS EXPECTED TO HIT A DEMOCRATIC WALL AGAIN THIS YEAR IN HER EFFORT TO STOP THE STATE FROM ISSUING DRIVER'S LICENSES TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. ANOTHER PROPOSAL SHE'S EXPECTED TO BRING BACK THIS YEAR IS HER "SOCIAL PROMOTION" BILL THAT WOULD HOLD THIRD GRADERS BACK FROM THE 4TH GRADE IF THEY CAN'T READ PROFICIENTLY YET. DEMOCRATS WILL LIKELY OPPOSE THAT MEASURE AGAIN THIS YEAR TOO.

 

MARTINEZ HAS FOUND COMMON GROUND WITH DEMOCRATS OVER BUDGET ISSUES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, BUT BIPARTISAN COOPERATION HAS BEEN ELUSIVE ON BROADER POLICY MATTERS. THAT INCLUDES PROVIDING STATE EMPLOYEES WITH A PAY RAISE. LAWMAKERS SAY MORALE IS LOW AMONG STATE WORKERS, AND A RAISE WOULD HELP BOOST SPIRITS.  MARTINEZ ALSO WANTS TO BOOST TAX INCENTIVES TO BOOST HIRING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.