PHOENIX -- It's taken at least four decades.
But Arizona's community colleges appear to be on the verge of being able to offer four-year degrees.
On a 24-6 vote Wednesday, the Senate gave final approval to legislation setting out the conditions for these traditional two-year and certificate institutions to start offering baccalaureate degrees. With the House already having approved, the only thing that remains now is a decision by Gov. Doug Ducey.
An aide to the governor said he does not comment on pending legislation.
Ducey is likely to face a last-ditch effort by the Arizona Board of Regents which has for at least 40 years fought any effort to infringe on what it sees as its turf as the governing body of the state's three universities. Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, one of the champions of SB 1453, said they tried to quash this bill, even after proponents included much of what the universities wanted limiting when and how such upper division courses can be offered.