Legislators MIA at Special Session

Matt Bunk over at the AZ Capitol Times posted a list of the legislators who were absent and therefore unable to vote on the four emergency budget bills which sailed unanimously out of the AZ House and Senate.

One person-- Senator Russell Pearce (R-Mesa)-- was in attendance, but refused to vote on the two education bills. One would assume he was in the restroom or (more likely) did not want his vote registered.

Why would such a fervent advocate of representative government skip a vote?

Here is the list of absences. It should be noted that some of them were excused.

Senate:

Ron Gould, a Republican from Lake Havasu City

Pamela Gorman, a Republican from Anthem

Richard Miranda, a Democrat from Tolleson

Meg Burton-Cahill, a Democrat from Tempe

Ken Cheavront, a Democrat from Phoenix

Jim Waring, a Republican from Phoenix

House:

Doug Quelland, a Republican from Phoenix

Daniel Patterson, a Democrat from Tucson

Vic Williams, a Republican from Tucson

Ed Ableser, a Democrat from Tempe

Steve Montenegro, a Republican from Litchfield Park

Chris Deschene, a Democrat from Window Rock

Eric Meyer, a Democrat from Paradise Valley

Debbie Lesko, a Republican from Glendale

Phil Lopes, a Democrat from Tucson

Rich Crandall, a Republican from Mesa

Russ Jones, a Republican from Yuma

Olivia Cajero-Bedford, a Democrat from Tucson

Andy Biggs, a Republican from Gilbert