Arizona Governor vetoes two budget proposals as the state risks a possible shutdown
Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, center, delivers the State of the State address at the state Capitol as she is flanked by Speaker of the House Ben Toma, left, R-Glendale, and President of the Senate Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, Jan. 8, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed two budget proposals Wednesday, calling them partisan and reckless, as legislators near a deadline to reach a deal and avoid a state government shutdown.
Her action comes after House Republicans indicated last week that a budget negotiated by the state Senate and Hobbs’ office lacked the needed votes in its chamber. The House instead introduced a budget to keep state operations running beyond June 30 and buy more time for negotiations.
The chamber passed a separate budget earlier this month.
“It cuts tuition, raises pay for law enforcement, fixes critical roads, and reins in waste — all without raising taxes,” House Speaker Steve Montenegro said in a statement earlier this month, calling the House GOP-favored budget structurally balanced and conservative.
The state Senate greenlit both budgets Wednesday, advancing them to the governor for anticipated vetoes and providing a “reality check” for the state House, said GOP senator and Appropriations Committee Chair John Kavanagh in an interview ahead of Hobbs’ action.
Hobbs vetoed both, calling on GOP leadership in the state House to put the “political games” aside.
In one of her veto letters, she said the negotiated proposal approved by the Senate “has pay raises for State Troopers and fire fighters, cuts taxes for small businesses, invests in combatting Veterans homelessness, and makes child care more affordable and accessible.”
Montenegro released a statement expressing disappointment with the governor’s vetoes.
“Despite the Governor’s actions, House Republicans will continue working to keep government operating and protect Arizona taxpayers from the consequences of political brinkmanship,” he said.
The Secretary of State’s office received a memorandum Monday from the Arizona Department of Administration addressed to all state agency heads asking them to draft contingency plans in the event of a shutdown, including preparing for furloughs, said Aaron Thacker, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office.
The House Rules Committee is expected to take up the Senate’s budget bills Thursday.
Hobbs has topped her veto record, according to her spokesperson Christian Slater.
She took similar action in early 2023 when she vetoed another budget proposal she said was one-sided and “an insult to Arizonans.”
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