by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 2, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed SB1119, a piece of bipartisan legislation aimed at prioritizing affordable and reliable utility services for Arizonans. The bill, sponsored by Senator Tim Dunn (R-LD25), sought to direct the Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO) to focus exclusively on minimizing utility rates rather than considering environmental policies that could contribute to higher costs.
In a press release following the veto, Senator Dunn criticized the decision, arguing that it would negatively impact consumers already struggling with rising costs. “SB 1119 would have required the Residential Utility Consumer Office to focus its efforts on fighting for the safest and most reliable utility service achievable at the lowest retail rate possible, instead of prioritizing any costly radical environmentalist agendas,” Dunn stated. He went on to say that the veto was “short-sighted” and would ultimately burden Arizona residents.
Utility costs have been a growing concern for Arizona residents, particularly in the wake of inflation and increased energy demand. The state’s energy policies have often been a point of contention, with debates centering around balancing affordability with sustainability. RUCO, an independent agency that represents residential utility customers, currently considers multiple factors when making policy recommendations.
Supporters of SB 1119 argued that the bill would have strengthened consumer protections by ensuring that RUCO prioritized affordability above all else. The veto is expected to spark further discussions among lawmakers and stakeholders on how to bring more affordable utility rates to Arizonans. As the state continues to grapple with rising utility costs, future legislative efforts may seek to address the concerns raised by both proponents and critics of SB 1119.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by B. Hamilton | May 29, 2021 | News
By B. Hamilton |
In what has being characterized by some lawmakers as a “tantrum,” Governor Doug Ducey announced on Twitter Friday afternoon that he has vetoed 22 bills and that he will not sign any other legislation until a budget is passed. In a series of tweets, Governor Ducey characterized the vetoed bills as containing “good policy,” but that he was unhappy that the legislature failed to pass a budget before temporarily recessing for the Memorial Day weekend.
The decision to veto nearly two dozen bills without warning shocked many at the capitol, especially since the Governor was out of town all week at the Republican Governor’s Association meeting in Tennessee.
“It’s unfortunate the governor had to veto 22 bills today including one very important bill dealing with the prohibition of critical race theory indoctrination in government,” Speaker Pro Tempore Travis Grantham told AZ Free News. “This is a direct result of a select few in both the House and Senate, who refuse to do what’s best for the citizens of Arizona and pass a fiscally sound conservative budget without wasteful spending and pork. It’s time to get to work and stay there until we put special interests aside, reduce burdensome taxes on our citizens, and vote for a responsible Republican budget.”
“The Governor’s decision to veto crucial election integrity legislation, as well as, his veto of a bill that would’ve banned taxpayer money from being used to teach the racist, bigoted Critical Race Theory (CRT) ideology is shocking and disappointing for the millions of Arizonans who support these measures,” said Rep. Jake Hoffman.
“The decision to employ strong arm tactics by vetoing over 20 Republican bills, presumably driven by some of his staff and advisors, reflects a fundamental miscalculation regarding the status and progress of the budget negotiations.” Hoffman concluded, “It is deeply concerning that they did not foresee how detrimental indiscriminately vetoing nearly two dozen bills would be on reaching consensus on the budget.”
Capitol insiders told AZ Free News that Governor Ducey has been absent throughout most of the budget negotiations, and most lawmakers have not heard from him or staff about the budget all session. “Not being in town during these final stages of budget negotiations was a real disappointment. If he cares so much, why hasn’t he been here.” said one lawmaker who wished to speak off the record.
The bills vetoed by Governor Ducey today include:
SB1022 unborn child; statutory language
SB1030 guilty except insane; court jurisdiction
SB1074 governance; audits; training
SB1119 attorney general; federal executive orders
SB1121 marijuana; security
SB1127 vehicle speed limits
SB1135 taxes; 529 contributions; ABLE contributions
SB1176 nutrition assistance; benefit match
SB1215 liquor; sales; delivery; identification information
SB1408 medical marijuana; research; mental health
SB1514 emergency shelter beds; seniors
SB1526 prisoners; training; individual certificates
SB1635 reviser’s technical corrections; 2021
SB1716 Arizona state hospital; admission; governance
HB2296 restricted license; DUI; suspension
HB2303 marijuana; laboratories; proficiency testing
HB2414 marijuana; inspections; licensing; financial ownership
HB2554 party representative; resident; violation
HB2674 sex offender registration; termination
HB2792 early ballots; request required
The governor stated in his formal veto letter that the proposed budget agreement “makes responsible and significant investments in K-12 education, higher education, infrastructure and local communities, all while delivering historic tax relief to working families and small businesses.”
Another Capitol insider told AZ Free News, “I don’t think Governor Ducey realizes that his veto rampage likely created more problems than it solved. He wiped out a lot of hard work and expects lawmakers to come back because he now is finally interested in showing up to work after being AWOL all session? A lot of people down here won’t put up with this.”
Negotiations on the budget are expected to resume next week. The Legislature has until June 30th to pass a budget plan before the end of the fiscal year and avoid a government shutdown.
