Arizona Lawmakers Clash Over Proposed Reforms to Public Assistance Programs
In a move aimed at curbing fraud, Republican legislators in Arizona have sent a set of 12 proposed bills to Governor Katie Hobbs. These bills primarily introduce more stringent eligibility criteria for SNAP and Medicaid benefits.
House Majority Leader Michael Carbone (R-Buckeye) emphasized that these measures are essential to align Arizona with a federal budget bill passed last year, thereby safeguarding federal support:
“We have to rein in — if there’s people who do not qualify for these benefits, they’re hurting the people that do qualify,” Carbone stated during a meeting on Tuesday. More information on the federal budget bill can be found here.
The state’s current SNAP error rate is at 8.8%, and Republican lawmakers are pushing to reduce it to 3% or below, citing potential financial penalties if these goals are not met. “The penalties are real,” Carbone noted.
Participation in public assistance programs has surged in recent years, as have their associated costs. Carbone pointed out the discrepancy between Arizona’s thriving economy and the increased spending on public programs:
“We went from $1 billion to $2 billion dollars in SNAP. You have to ask why,” Carbone said. “We are creating the jobs, we’re doing what we need to do, but our money is being transferred somewhere.”
Democratic opposition is strong, with concerns that new eligibility requirements may unjustly exclude deserving individuals from essential services. Democratic Rep. Jamescita Peshlakai (D-Cameron) raised concerns about the impact on rural and tribal areas, where resources like transportation and internet access are limited. More details on employment training requirements are available here.
Additionally, one bill seeks to restrict SNAP purchases to exclude items like candy and energy drinks, a move that some see as overreaching. For more information, view the bill here.
Carbone, reflecting on his upbringing, stated, “I know that not everyone has that, maybe, opportunity or ability to do that, but I have to look back on how I was raised, and it was tough where we had mac ‘n’ cheese and TV dinners, so I understand.”
Democrats counter that such measures are condescending. Sen. Analise Ortiz (D-Phoenix) argued, “I believe kids, even poor kids, should be able to have cake on their birthday, should be able to have candy in their Easter basket, should be able to be celebrated by their parents with a soda after school if they do well on a test. These are basic tenants of freedom.”
Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) responded that taxpayer dollars should not contribute to unhealthy eating habits, suggesting alternatives: “We heard that, gosh, people want kids to have cake and cupcakes, and ice cream. Well, I’m proud to tell my colleagues across the aisle that even on SNAP, you can buy flour, and sugar, and eggs, and milk and all the other ingredients that you would need to make those for your child’s birthday.”
Another contentious proposal would mandate public hospitals to inquire about patients’ immigration status, sharing this information with the state Department of Health Services. Governor Hobbs previously vetoed a similar bill. More about this bill can be read here.
Should Governor Hobbs veto the entire package, Sen. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) hinted that the decision might be placed in the hands of voters through a ballot measure.
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