Arizona Republicans again got the better of Governor Katie Hobbs with their second installment of a state budget amid a tenuous divided government.
On Saturday night, the Republican-led Arizona Legislature passed the 2024-2025 state budget and adjourned for the year after finishing its tasks. This latest budget was negotiated between Senate President Warren Petersen, House Speaker Ben Toma, and Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs.
“Following last year’s state budget, where Republican lawmakers provided inflationary relief to everyday Arizonans through $274 million in tax rebates distributed to struggling families, as well as a ban on the tenant-paid rental tax taking effect this January, Republicans are again successfully supporting our hardworking citizens while simultaneously reining in spending,” said Senate President Warren Petersen. “In this year’s budget, we defended more than $520 million allocated last year for much-needed transportation projects statewide. We also cut fees for Maricopa County drivers on emissions testing by 5%, and we banned fee increases on Arizonans from state boards for the next two years.”
🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Republicans Eliminate Deficit, Increase Border Security Spending, Fully Fund Public Safety, Protect School Choice, Shrink Government in 2024-2025 State Budget
House Speaker Ben Toma added, “At a time when Arizonans are having to tighten their financial belts, so is state government. The Arizona House of Representatives has passed a fiscally conservative, structurally balanced state budget that solves the nearly $1.5 billion deficit, without touching the rainy-day fund or using budget gimmickry. The budget trims government and protects conservative priorities. It increases funding for local border support operations and assists fentanyl interdiction efforts by law enforcement. It funds transportation and infrastructure and maintains our state’s commitment to water security.”
✅House Approves Fiscally Conservative State Budget that Trims Government and Protects School Choice
“At a time when Arizonans are having to tighten their financial belts, so is state government. The Arizona House of Representatives has passed a fiscally conservative,… pic.twitter.com/yJRtoKAZqb
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) June 16, 2024
According to a press release from the Arizona Senate Republicans Caucus, some of the highlights from the agreed-upon budget included the following:
Reduction of state spending by $1.7 billion below the 2023-2024 budget (10%);
Reduction of ongoing spending by $330 million; and
Addition of $5 million for local border security support and $4 million for fentanyl interdiction and law enforcement response.
The Senate Republicans also noted that their efforts this year produced a budget that did not add any new taxes, tax increases, or debt. Additionally, the budget did not pull dollars from the rainy-day fund, ensuring that the state would have sufficient funds to draw upon should it experience more stormy weather in future years.
“We tightened the state’s belt by trimming fat from state agencies, and we reallocated unspent tax dollars to the general fund to eliminate the deficit, without irresponsibly tapping into our rainy-day fund,” said Senate Appropriations Chairman John Kavanagh. “Most government operations within the state received a healthy and manageable 3.5% reduction in spending, with a few exceptions. Safe communities free of crime and a secure border are the biggest priorities to Arizonans and Republicans alike, and we want to ensure our budget reflects that. As a result, funding for the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Corrections, and the Arizona Auditor General remains intact, while we’re also investing millions in border security, all without raising taxes or creating new debt.”
“Our budget also reflects our support for our citizens’ Second Amendment rights,” said Senator David Gowan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, Public Safety & Border Security. “We’re funding two full time positions at the Department of Public Safety to address a backlog of concealed carry permit applications and renewals, with a requirement to prioritize Arizona residents first. This move can have a positive impact in our state by ultimately strengthening the safety and security of our communities as our citizens seek avenues to protect themselves, their families, and their private property. Additionally in this budget, we’re infusing crucial dollars into the Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) located in our rural communities, so these residents have convenient access to emergency care.”
Not every Republican was on board with this budget, however. State Representative Matt Gress explained his “no” vote on the most-recent edition, writing, “This year’s [budget] seems more focused on just ‘getting it done’ than ‘doing it right.’ There’s a reason there is bipartisan opposition. This is not a budget that reflects the shared priorities of Arizonans.”
Gress’ fellow Republican colleague in the chamber, Representative Jacqueline Parker, opined, “Literally the ONLY ones saying good things about this budget are Democrats…”
Literally the ONLY ones saying good things about this budget are Democrats… 🤔 pic.twitter.com/NIW1tSc4KF
— Rep. Jacqueline Parker (@electjacqparker) June 16, 2024
Senator Wendy Rogers weighed in after the vote in her chamber, posting, “This was a solid Republican budget and I voted for it.”
State Representative John Gillette agreed with Rogers’ sentiments, saying, “After a hard fight and two days of voting, we finally passed the 2024-2025 budget with tax cuts and NO new debt. Fiscal responsibility and conservative values prevailed.”
After a hard fight and two days of voting, we finally passed the 2024-2025 budget with tax cuts and NO new debt!
Fiscal responsibility and conservative values prevailed.
Republicans will now have to make the case to Arizona voters in the all-important November General Election about why they should return to power in the state legislature for another two years in a divided government with Governor Hobbs. Throughout the past two years, Republicans have been mostly united and focused on protecting several of their priorities from the clutches of Democrats eager to dismantle values and principles. That balance of power, though, hangs on a knife’s edge as fall awaits.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Another legislative solution to protect Arizona women and girls was vetoed by the state’s Democrat governor.
This week, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed SB 1182, which would have “mandate[d] a public school provide a reasonable accommodation to a person who is unwilling or unable to use a multioccupancy shower room designated for the person’s sex, [and] provide[d] private cause of action to an individual who is denied a reasonable accommodation or who encounters a person of the opposite sex in a public school multioccupancy shower room as specified” – according to the overview from the Arizona House of Representatives.
🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Katie Hobbs, Arizona Democrat Lawmakers Support Girls Being Forced to Shower with Boys in Public Schools pic.twitter.com/cpx2noqoyv
In her veto letter, Hobbs was brief in her explanation to Senate President Warren Petersen, writing, “As I have said time and time again, I will not sign legislation that attacks Arizonans.”
Senator John Kavanagh, the bill’s sponsor, was irate about the governor’s action. He stated, “Girls should not be forced to shower with boys in our taxpayer-funded public schools. It’s utterly disgusting that Democrats, who are out-of-touch with reality, continue to push gender neutrality upon our children, endangering their safety and well-being just to politically platform off a small population they pretend to care about. All students, not just transgender kids, deserve to feel safe and deserve to have privacy when they’re naked in a shower. This was a reasonable bill that a majority of Arizonans agree with.”
The longtime northeast valley lawmaker added, “Unfortunately, because of this partisan driven veto by our Governor, our daughters, granddaughters, nieces, and neighbors will continue to be subjected to not only embarrassment, but sexual assaults and harassment in the event a boy who’s claiming to be a girl is allowed into their female-only showers. I encourage Arizona parents, women, and girls to reach out to the Governor and our Democrat state lawmakers and demand they respect their privacy rights. Change will only happen if we continue to speak out and push back against these injustices our women and girls continue to endure at the hands of Arizona Democrats.”
When the legislation was considered before the full Senate chamber in February, it passed along partisan lines, 16-13 (with one member not voting). After the proposal was transmitted to the House, it was approved 31-28 (with one vacancy) earlier this month – also along partisan lines. Since it was amended in the House, the bill made its way back over to the Senate for concurrence, receiving a 16-14 green light.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, a representative from the Center for Arizona Policy endorsed the legislation. Representatives from Stand for Children, Arizona Education Association, American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, Save Our Schools Arizona, Arizona School Boards Association, Arizona Center for Women’s Advancement, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Council of Jewish Women Arizona, Children’s Action Alliance, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, Stonewall Democrats of Arizona, the City of Tucson, and Human Rights Campaign, signed in to oppose the bill.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona legislators are teaming up to provide better protections for pets across the state.
Late last month, the Arizona Senate approved SB 1047, which would “broaden the conditions that must be met for a person to commit cruelty to animals” – according to the purpose from the chamber.
The bill passed out of the state Senate with a 22-7 vote (with one member not voting).
Senator T.J. Shope, the bill’s sponsor said, “It’s always an honor to team up with the Arizona Humane Society, whether to create legislation to protect our precious animals, or to discuss that legislation on Pets on Parade. This week, my wife Melissa and I joined the show to highlight SB 1047, which passed out of the Senate with strong bipartisan support. I proudly partnered with AHS to create this bill, which will strengthen Arizona’s animal laws and narrow the definition of animal cruelty. A more specific outline will help prosecutors be more successful in cases involving animal cruelty.
Senator @TJShope teamed up with @azhumane to create legislation to strengthen animal cruelty laws in Arizona.
He joined Pets on Parade this week to discuss this bill and of course, pet some puppies!
Shope, the chamber’s President Pro Tempore, expressed hopefulness that the state’s Democrat governor would be favorable to his proposal, adding, “I look forward to seeing this legislation make its way to the governor’s desk and am hopeful she’ll sign it into law. This legislation provides much-needed clarification to our laws and will create a safer environment for pets in Arizona. I will always be an advocate for these innocent animals who cannot speak up or defend themselves. This is also the perfect time to remind you there are hundreds of pets – dogs, cats, bunnies and more, available for adoption at AHS!”
Last month, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water gave a green light to the bill with a 6-1 vote.
Earlier this month, Shope and his wife, Melissa, co-hosted the Arizona Pet Project Hero Awards.
Melissa and I are honored to co-host @AZPetProject Hero Awards this evening in Phoenix! Cali was able to join us as well and you can see how excited she is! pic.twitter.com/kokZhOZx8I
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from Humane Voters of Arizona, the Arizona Humane Society, Animal Defense League of Arizona, the City of Chandler, Arizona Partnership for People and Pets, and the Human Society of the United States signed in to support the bill. A representative from the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation indicated his organization’s neutrality on the legislation.
SB 1047 will now be considered by the Arizona House of Representatives.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A year-long legislative effort finally came to fruition for an Arizona community.
Late last week, Arizona State Representative Alexander Kolodin and Senator Justine Wadsack announced that the Rio Verde Foothills community once again – and finally – had access to water.
The water is back on in Rio Verde Foothills Monday. Thank God, it's done at last. Thank you to all my colleagues who helped make this possible. We can come together to solve our challenges, we really can. pic.twitter.com/nazs0Gp4Aj
In a joint statement, Kolodin and Wadsack said, “After more than a year of failed attempts to resolve the issue, today we stand in celebration as water flows once more to the residents of Rio Verde Foothills. Three months ago, we sent a bill to Hobbs urging she sign the legislation to help restore water for over 700 residents that had relied on the City of Scottsdale for over 30 years. At that time, we applauded the community’s resolve and said, ‘Hold on tight, relief is on the way!’ We are elected to office to get things done for the people of Arizona. Where every other level of government failed, this Republican majority delivered.”
✅FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE✅
Representative Kolodin and Senator Wadsack Celebrate Restoration of Water Access for Residents of Rio Verde Foothills
STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX (Friday, October 6, 2023) – Arizona State Representative Alex Kolodin and Senator Justine Wadsack today issued… pic.twitter.com/89eCPlCG0D
— AZ Senator Justine Wadsack (@Wadsack4Arizona) October 7, 2023
The “X” account for the Rio Verde Foothills Standpipe District also acknowledged the development in this ongoing saga, writing, “Official per RVFSD: The water will flow on Monday 10/9. Thank you to the board for your work, and tireless effort, countless meetings, emails, and support of community partners. Thank you to the City of Scottsdale and EPCOR. Thank you to all who helped. Moving forward!”
🚨🚨🚨 Official per RVFSD: The water will flow on Monday 10/9. Thank you to the board for your work, and tireless effort, countless meetings, emails, and support of community partners. Thank you to the City of Scottsdale and EPCOR. Thank you to all who helped. Moving forward!
— Rio Verde Foothills Standpipe District💧 (@rvfsdaz) October 7, 2023
State Representative Laura Terech also weighed in on the situation, adding, “I am relieved to see water access restored to the Rio Verde Foothills!”
I am relieved to see water access restored to the Rio Verde Foothills! https://t.co/mKr7WjtrTP
Few legislators worked with more intensity at the Arizona Legislature over this issue than Kolodin in the recently completed session. It was Kolodin’s HB 2561 that was added onto SB 1432 as an amendment before both chambers sent the bill to the Governor’s Office. After SB 1432 passed the legislature, Kolodin thanked many of his colleagues, including Senator John Kavanaugh, Wadsack, Terech, and Representative David Cook, for their efforts in ensuring the proposal’s success. Kolodin wrote, “This is not the first water crisis Arizona has faced and it will not be the last. But, today, we proved that the era of kicking the can down the road is over. This legislature is ready, willing, and able to roll up its sleeves and solve the problem – together.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
One Arizona legislator’s relentless efforts to deliver water to families in the Rio Verde Foothills appear to have paid off.
On Tuesday, the Arizona Senate passed SB 1432, which included Representative Alexander Kolodin’s HB 2561 as an amendment, sending it to the Governor’s Office for her decision.
Governor Hobbs is expected to sign the bill.
Twenty Senators voted to approve the measure, eight members opposed, and two did not vote.
Kolodin had several people to thank for the bill’s progress, which he did so in a press release, saying, “It took a team effort by an unlikely coalition to defeat the establishment’s army of lobbyists and solve what should have been a simple problem. A few people deserve special mention. My seatmate, John Kavanagh, put in yeoman’s work shepherding this legislation through the Senate. Senator Wadsack worked with us to integrate our bill with her own significant water reform legislation. She and my other colleagues in the Arizona Freedom Caucus withstood tremendous pressure to stand firm and help me to complete the people’s work. I also want to thank Representative Cook for his consistent efforts to help the people of Rio Verde as well as Representative Terech, the chief negotiator for the Democrats, for her months of effort to arrive at a bipartisan solution to a problem that no other part of government has been able or willing to resolve. This is not the first water crisis Arizona has faced and it will not be the last. But, today, we proved that the era of kicking the can down the road is over. This legislature is ready, willing, and able to roll up its sleeves and solve the problem – together.”
The state representative urged Hobbs to sign his bill and give the people of Rio Verde Foothills the relief that they have been seeking for months, stating, “We should not have had to fight so hard just to get Arizonans water, but our work is now complete thanks to the efforts of these and countless others. Katie Hobbs should immediately sign this bill and restore water to the people. Rio Verde Foothills – we applaud your fight and community spirit! Hold on tight, relief is on the way!”
After HB 2561 passed the Arizona House last month, freshman representative Justin Heap shared insight on how hard his colleague had worked to get his proposal to where it stood at that moment, tweeting:
“Politics is a profession defined by indolence & self-aggrandizement. Because of this, truly remarkable efforts by leaders to help the people they represent often go unnoticed & unrewarded. For this reason, I would like to acclaim my colleague @realAlexKolodin of District 3. No bill has been more fiercely contested or required more effort this year then the task of getting water to the 900 residents of Rio Verde Foothills who’ve been without reliable access to water since 2022. As their House Rep Alex made it his mission to get them water. It was a herculean task for a freshman legislator, against opposition from cities, the county BofS, the Governor’s Office, even his own party. Alex was undaunted.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
