By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Legislative Republicans put the finishing touches on one of their signature legal victories over the state’s Democrat governor in court.
Earlier this week, Arizona Senate Republicans announced that “Governor Katie Hobbs admit[ted] she violated state law through her scheme to circumvent the Senate confirmation process for director nominations and has agreed to submit new candidates for consideration, as required by law.”
“We continue to see a disturbing trend unfolding, where Democrats are weaponizing the government in an attempt to force unlawful and extreme agendas upon our citizens,” said Senate President Warren Petersen. “No elected official is above the law, and the Governor’s manipulative scheme to circumvent Senate confirmation demonstrates the crucial role the Legislature serves in holding the executive accountable against abuses of power. I’m grateful we can move forward from the insanity and chaos our state agencies and our citizens have been experiencing due to the Governor’s actions, and I look forward to reinstating the confirmation process so that we can properly vet director nominations in an effort to ensure only the most qualified candidates are serving in these critical roles.”
According to the press release issued by the Senate Republicans, “Senate President Warren Petersen spent the last several months working to hold the Governor accountable in Arizona State Senate v. Katie Hobbs. In September of 2023, after a Senate committee recommended a nominee accused of plagiarism not be confirmed, Hobbs sent a letter to President Petersen notifying him that she was going to evade the senate-confirmation process for agency directors, mandated by A.R.S. § 38-211. Under her ill-advised plan, blessed by Attorney General Mayes, Hobbs withdrew 13 director nominations still pending before the Senate. She then re-installed these same individuals with a fake title of ‘Executive Deputy Directors.’ Based on flimsy legal reasoning, which Hobbs’ own attorney later described as ‘strange,’ Hobbs claimed these fake directors had the same power and authority as Senate-confirmed directors. After months of discussions, she continued to insist she was above the law.”
Republican Senator Sine Kerr reacted to the news, posting, “A big win for the rule of law in AZ!! The people of AZ deserve legitimate, qualified, lawful agency Directors confirmed by the Senate!”
On the other side of the aisle, Democrat Senate Leader Mitzi Epstein said, “I applaud Governor Hobbs for consistently taking the high road and working diligently to protect the interests of hard-working Arizonans. Governor Hobbs was elected fair and square in 2022 and it is time Republicans get out of the way and let her govern for all Arizonans. It’s 2024, the games need to end and that starts now with ensuring we get every director across the finish line in the Senate.”
Epstein added, “Republicans have repeatedly rejected bipartisanship, and the burden falls squarely on Arizona taxpayers every time. Democrats will continue to act in good faith and do everything possible to ensure government runs smoothly in the upcoming legislature.”
In their press release, the Senate Republicans argued that it was their constitutional duty (and obligation by law) to stand in Hobbs’ way on certain matters, writing, “Consistent with the United States Constitution and the laws of states across this nation, Arizona law requires its agencies to be led by Senate-confirmed directors, under A.R.S. § 38-211. This requirement exists to preserve the liberties of Arizona’s citizens. Just as the Governor’s veto serves as a check on legislative power, Senate confirmation of agency directors serves as a necessary check on the Governor’s power.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
