In a surprising move, Arizona House Republicans have introduced their own budget plan, bypassing ongoing negotiations involving Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs and Senate Republicans. With a majority in the House, Republicans have the leverage to pass their proposed budget, though its future beyond the House remains uncertain.
Rep. Matt Gress (R-Phoenix), a key figure in formulating the budget, indicated that the House leadership intends to vote on the proposal soon. However, Democratic leaders, including Rep. Oscar De Los Santos (D-Laveen), have criticized the move as lacking legitimacy. “This so-called Republican budget in the House is a sham, a joke and a farce,” he stated, highlighting the absence of House Republicans from recent budget discussions.
Senator John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) and Governor Hobbs have both confirmed that House Republicans have been absent from negotiations. Kavanagh, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, noted the unusual disconnect, stating this is “the first time in 20 years the House is not aligned with the Senate, and then proceeded to negotiate as a team with the governor.”
Governor Hobbs’ office criticized the introduction of a separate budget by House Republicans, with spokesperson Christian Slater comparing it to a previous conflict over disability funding. “This is DDD all over again,” Slater remarked, referencing a prolonged fight between the governor’s office and House Republican leadership.
Despite the criticism, Gress remains hopeful about the proposal’s potential, citing its inclusion of several gubernatorial priorities, such as a 5% pay raise for Department of Public Safety officers and full funding for programs supporting parents of children with disabilities. The budget also aims to provide funding for school lunches, highway improvements, and reduced university tuition costs for in-state students.
Gress emphasized the financial prudence of the budget, projecting a $400 million cash balance at year-end, contrasting with a previous budget’s $11 million surplus. However, the plan includes $50 million in cuts to Arizona’s Medicaid program, AHCCCS, with tighter eligibility checks, a move criticized by De Los Santos as potentially harmful to Arizonans’ access to healthcare.
Additionally, the proposed budget suggests reforms to food assistance programs, including stricter income verification and work requirements. While these changes come amidst possible federal funding cuts to Medicaid and food assistance, Gress noted that the budget does not account for these hypothetical changes due to their uncertain status.
The House Appropriations Committee is set to review the budget proposal soon, as debates continue over its feasibility and alignment with broader legislative priorities.
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