School-funding spat sets up possible duel for Arizona state Senate seat

The state's career-and-technical training high schools are on high alert as the Legislature messes around with a bill intended to restore funding they lost last year.​

And here at Political Insider, we are on high alert to see if the "seat swap" deal brokered between Sen. Don Shooter and Rep. Steve Montenegro will withstand the drama. It appears there's a turf war going on, with both the House and Senate vying to claim credit for the funding-restoration deal.

Shooter a month ago introduced the Senate version of the bill, with 70 co-sponsors, that sought to restore the nearly $30 million in funding. But the House also introduced its own version, and as House majority leader, Montenegro has a hand in which bill ultimately gets sent to the governor.

Things got so tense that speculation arose that Shooter, R-Yuma, might just keep his seat in the Senate.

Career and technical education bill becomes political football at Arizona's Capitol

Opting to run again for the Senate would force a primary battle against Montenegro, who is term-limited in the House and hoping to become the next senator from Legislative District 13.

In a spirit of cooperation, the two last year announced a deal whereby Shooter would run for the House seat, creating a clear path for Montenegro. (However, there is already another Republican in the race, Western Arizona College faculty member Anthony Gier, so it might not be a cake walk.)

Perhaps the outcome of the argument over whose name gets prominence on the bill will be a predictor of what will happen come the August primary.

Arizona House requests God-only prayers

Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com and follow her on Twitter @maryjpitzl.