The deficit looming in the state budget is at least $3 billion.

It was only three years ago that Arizona lawmakers and then-Gov. Janet Napolitano were quarrelling over how to spend a $1 billion surplus.

Resolving a $3 billion deficit is made more difficult by the constraints lawmakers face.

About $7.3 billion of the budget is out of lawmakers' control, driven either by existing law or mandates created by voters. For the coming fiscal year, if budget cuts were the only option, that would mean $3 billion coming from the remaining $3.7 billion. But GOP legislative leaders long ago conceded they can't cut their way to a balanced budget, even though they see this budget crisis as an ideal time to downsize government.

They also have to contend with political pressure. Since the late-January budget cuts, the Capitol grounds have hosted regular protests, with everyone from child-care providers to the disabled to public-school advocates bringing their message of woe to lawmakers.