by Ethan Faverino | May 24, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
As Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs adopts a firmer rhetorical stance toward the People’s Republic of China, The Center Square states national security experts are closely monitoring whether she will sign a package of bipartisan bills designed to protect the state’s critical infrastructure, land, universities, procurement processes, and consumers from foreign adversary influence.
In previous years, Governor Hobbs vetoed several China-related measures, citing concerns over economic growth, investment portfolios, and impacts on the healthcare system. However, she now has the opportunity to act on up to seven new bills addressing these national security priorities.
In the past three years (2024-2026), Hobbs vetoed measures including:
- HB 2504 and HB 2584: Genetic sequencing restrictions involving foreign adversary technology
- SB 1340: Prohibiting state investments in foreign adversaries
- HB 2542: Banning state contracts with companies domiciled in China for goods or services
- SB 1109: Restrictions on foreign adversary land purchases near military bases and critical infrastructure
Her veto messages previously emphasized potential economic harm and described one bill as “weak and spineless.” This year, despite vetoing another genetic sequencing bill over healthcare system concerns, her office has signaled a tougher approach toward China.
The current package includes targeted protections:
- Arizona Critical Infrastructure Protection Act (HB 2134): Prohibits Chinese companies from providing software for critical infrastructure and bars contracts granting them access. It requires annual certifications, establishes a prohibited equipment list (including Wi-Fi routers, modems, school bus cameras, smart meters, solar inverters, and IoT modules), and creates a score communications channel for emergencies. Exceptions exist for cases with no reasonable alternatives and pre-approval.
- Land Protection Bill (SB 1683): Bars foreign adversary nations and agents from purchasing, leasing, or acquiring substantial interests (+15%) in Arizona real property. It prohibits installing surveillance or communications equipment and includes strong enforcement mechanisms, including divestiture, forfeiture, and reporting to federal authorities. Limited exceptions apply for inheritance or debt collection with prompt divestiture.
- Higher Education Protections (SB 1327): Requires the Arizona Board of Regents to review and approve gifts, contracts, or partnerships with foreign adversary nations. Universities must adopt comprehensive research security policies and annually report significant foreign funding.
- Procurement Safeguards (SB 2170): Prevents companies domiciled in and controlled by the Chinese government, military, or ruling party from bidding on state electronic and information technology contracts. Requires certification letters, with severe penalties for false statements.
- Lobbyist Registration (SB 1100): Mandates foreign adversary principals to register lobbyists, disclose activities, and pay fees. Creates a public database and penalties for nondisclosures.
- Consumer Fraud Enforcement (SB 1308): Establishes a Foreign Adversary Fraud Office in the Attorney General’s office to pursue violations involving foreign adversary technology. Creates dedicated funds for enforcement and technology replacement in critical infrastructure.
Josh Hodges, former senior director at the National Security Council under President Trump, current member of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, and national security advisor to House Speaker Mike Johnson, described these bills as “massively impactful.”
Hodges told The Center Square, “It is important these bills are passed collectively to ‘really address the full scope’ of the Chinese threat.” He noted that Hobbs has vetoed almost every piece of legislation related to China for “specious reason” often based on claims that bills were too vague or broad, despite federal agencies identifying ongoing subnational Chinese Communist Party efforts to embed operations in key U.S. assets.
He expressed hope that Hobbs’ recent shift in rhetoric will translate into action: “Arizonans will find out quickly whether their interests are being chosen over politics.” According to Hodges, vetoing these measures without strong justification could indicate undue influence or undisclosed lobbying.
These bills represent a significant opportunity for Arizona to align with growing nationwide efforts to protect critical assets from foreign adversary risks while maintaining necessary flexibility for public safety and economic needs.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | May 9, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona State Senator David Farnsworth (R-LD10) is pushing back against Democratic criticism of the Republican-backed state budget vetoed this week by Gov. Katie Hobbs. Farnsworth argues that the plan maintains core government services while reducing spending and providing tax relief.
In a statement released Wednesday, Farnsworth said claims that the Republican proposal would harm public safety, wildfire suppression, child welfare, and water protection efforts were “completely false.”
The Republican budget proposal would spend approximately $800 million less than Hobbs’ proposed budget while maintaining funding for K-12 education and public safety. Senate Republicans also said the proposal includes approximately $1.45 billion in tax relief over four years without raising taxes or defaulting on state financial obligations.
Arizona Senate Republicans said the proposal preserves funding for wildfire mitigation efforts and Colorado River protection programs, exempts the Department of Child Safety from a proposed 5% operating reduction, and supports law enforcement while focusing on reducing unnecessary spending and prioritizing relief for working families, seniors, and small businesses.
“The Republican budget proposal, which Hobbs vetoed on Tuesday, reflects a balanced approach,” Farnsworth said. “It protects essential services, supports public safety, and shows respect for taxpayers by focusing on responsible spending.”
The statement follows Hobbs’ veto of the Republican-backed budget proposal. Hobbs criticized the proposal as “unbalanced and reckless,” arguing it would jeopardize healthcare access, public safety funding, and services for vulnerable residents while prioritizing tax cuts.
Republican lawmakers have defended the proposal as a fiscally conservative alternative to the governor’s spending plan. Legislative leaders previously said the budget would reduce overall spending compared to Hobbs’ January proposal while implementing tax conformity measures tied to recent federal tax changes.
Farnsworth also said he had invited lawmakers from both parties and both legislative chambers to participate in budget discussions throughout the session and said that invitation remains open.
“While there may be disagreements about priorities, it is crucial that our discussions are based on facts rather than fear,” Farnsworth said. “Although the governor walked away from budget discussions, we look forward to renewing good-faith negotiations to ensure that Arizona families, communities, and critical services are supported both now and in the future with a responsible state budget.”
Budget negotiations between the Republican-controlled Legislature and the governor’s office remain ongoing as lawmakers work toward passage of a final spending plan before the end of the legislative session.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by AZ Free Enterprise Club | May 8, 2026 | Opinion
By the Arizona Free Enterprise Club |
Less than an hour had passed from when Republicans delivered a budget to Katie Hobbs desk yesterday to when she stamped it with a ‘veto.’ No one is surprised, since from the moment she walked out of negotiations six weeks ago and “challenged” Republicans to show their budget hand, she had already made up her mind about vetoing it. She just needed them to do all the work first.
Hobbs has grown far too comfortable being the only one setting conditions on budget negotiations, considering every condition she has set has been unreasonable, unworkable, or erratic.
She tried to anchor the entire budget to an unprecedented raid of the state land trust, speculative revenue requiring voter approval that could never functionally bridge her reckless spending. She wanted to deliver only half the conformity relief Arizona taxpayers are entitled to under the One Big Beautiful Bill, in direct contradiction to tax forms her own Department of Revenue already issued, creating tax filing chaos. She tried to “trade” not forcing that tax hike on Arizonans for kicking kids off the ESA program (insane). And when Republicans said no to all of it, she flipped the table and stormed off, openly admitting she was out of ideas, and demanding Republicans produce a budget on their own.
While the veto from Hobbs was largely expected, Hobbs’ explanation for her veto was such brazen hypocrisy that it raises the genuine question of whether she is being ironic or fails to see the numerous contradictions in her opposition to the GOP budget…
>>> CONTINUE READING >>>
by Matthew Holloway | May 6, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed the Republican-backed state budget proposal Tuesday, calling the plan “unbalanced and reckless,” while Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs sharply criticized the decision and accused Hobbs of blocking tax relief efforts.
In a statement issued by the Governor’s Office, Hobbs said the GOP proposal would “default on our debt obligations, endanger vulnerable children, slash critical public safety funding, and pay for tax breaks to billionaires, data centers, and special interests by kicking Arizonans off their healthcare and taking food off their tables.”
The Republican proposal, passed by the Legislature largely along party lines, included tax cuts tied to federal tax conformity measures, reductions to agency spending, and changes to several state programs. The proposal would have implemented major portions of federal tax cuts adopted in last year’s federal legislation and reduced spending across most state agencies.
Legislative Republicans said the proposal spent roughly $800 million less than Hobbs’ January budget proposal.
The veto follows weeks of tension between Hobbs and Republican legislative leadership over budget negotiations and education funding. On April 13, Hobbs announced she would veto nearly all legislation sent to her desk until Republican lawmakers produced a budget proposal and returned to negotiations.
Following Hobbs’ veto on Tuesday, Congressman Andy Biggs’ (R-AZ05) gubernatorial campaign circulated a statement accusing the governor of repeatedly rejecting tax relief measures.
“The Veto Queen is at it again,” a graphic released by the campaign stated. “Katie Hobbs has now vetoed over $1 billion in tax relief for Arizona workers, families, and small businesses for the 3rd time in 5 months as our state’s affordability crisis deepens.”
Biggs also said he had previously worked on multiple state budgets during his tenure as president of the Arizona Senate.
“As a former State Senate President, I’ve written multiple state budgets and worked with different governors to put forward structurally sound and responsible budgets that protect public safety and allow Arizonans to keep more of their money,” Biggs stated.
“It takes patience, leadership, and a commitment to good-faith work between the governor and the Legislature. Katie Hobbs has shown she has none of those attributes, which is why she keeps falling back on simply vetoing bills and budgets. Arizonans deserve a leader with a vision, not vetoes. In November, we’ll make that change.”
Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29) also criticized Hobbs following the veto, accusing the governor of pursuing higher spending priorities.
“Once again Gov. Hobbs creates fiscal chaos for Arizona as she fights for her California-style budget,” Montenegro wrote in a post on X. “This budget focuses on what matters most to Arizona families, higher take-home pay, lower costs.”
“What we will not do is allow this governor to raise taxes and spend more for her programs on the backs of every family in Arizona,” Montenegro added.
Despite the veto, Hobbs’ office indicated negotiations could resume. According to KJZZ, the governor’s office said Hobbs had reached out to legislative leadership seeking additional budget meetings this week.
The Legislature adjourned after passing the proposal, with lawmakers expected to return in June unless leadership calls them back sooner. However, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) pushed back on claims that Republican lawmakers were taking an extended break following passage of the budget proposal.
Responding to a social media post by journalist Craig Harris stating that “The GOP-controlled Arizona Legislature is taking a one-month paid vacation,” Petersen wrote on X, “This is false, the Senate will be back on Monday and many members, myself included will be there every day this week.”
“The governor placed a moratorium on bills and we delivered a budget. There is no floor work to do,” Petersen added.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Staff Reporter | Apr 21, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Gov. Katie Hobbs offered a false justification for her veto of legislation to rename a freeway after conservative activist and Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk.
After backlash over her formal justification for vetoing Senate Bill 1010, Hobbs offered another explanation: she falsely claimed that renaming part of the Loop 202 freeway after Kirk would replace the part of the freeway honoring another individual: the late congressman Ed Pastor.
Pastor, a Democrat, served in the House of Representatives for nearly 25 years, from 1991 to 2015. Pastor died in 2018. His daughter, Laura Pastor, serves on the Phoenix City Council.
Contrary to what Hobbs claimed, the bill had a specific carveout to preserve Pastor’s portion of the freeway.
“That the underlying segments of the Charlie Kirk Loop 202 would retain their names and designations and those underlying segments are the Red Mountain Freeway, the Santan Freeway, and the Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway,” stated the bill.
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, a Republican candidate for attorney general, sponsored the bill. Ahead of her veto, Petersen urged Hobbs to continue Arizona’s tradition of honoring legacy by awarding recognition based on impact and not politics.
“Charlie Kirk called Arizona home and built a national movement rooted in free speech, civic engagement, and American values. He inspired millions, especially young people, to get involved and speak up,” said Petersen. “If the governor vetoes this bill, she’s sending a clear message: recognition now depends on political agreement.”
Six years after founding TPUSA in 2012, Kirk moved its headquarters to Phoenix in 2018. Since 2021, the organization has held its annual conference, AmericaFest, in the city.
TPUSA’s student and lifetime membership total runs in the millions, and they have impacted millions more in America and nationally. The organization also manages thousands of college and high school chapters.
Kirk was assassinated last September while speaking at a TPUSA event at Utah Valley University.
The campaign for Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs, currently congressman, issued a press release on the matter accusing Hobbs of misleading Arizonans intentionally.
“Not only was Katie Hobbs’ decision to veto the Charlie Kirk Loop 202 bill petty and callous, she’s now shamefully misleading Arizonans about why she did it,” said Biggs campaign senior advisor Drew Sexton. “This was a dishonest, partisan act by a weak and ineffective governor who has consistently failed to rise to the moment and lead our state.”
Hobbs’ initial justification for the veto, the one she gave formally, said that lawmakers needed to avoid politicized individuals when choosing who to honor.
The veto letter was a regurgitation of her previous veto letter for another bill seeking to honor Kirk’s legacy.
The governor also vetoed legislation that would have enabled Arizona drivers to purchase a specialty license plate honoring Kirk’s memory.
“I will continue working toward solutions that bring people together, but this bill falls short of that standard by inserting politics into a function of government that should remain nonpartisan,” wrote Hobbs.
Hobbs expressed sorrow over Kirk’s assassination, but said that wasn’t enough to overshadow his political background.
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