PHOENIX — Arizona’s Democratic Governor, Katie Hobbs, announced on Thursday that she will reject signing any new legislation until a resolution is found in the ongoing funding dispute with the Republican-majority Legislature. The contention centers on the financial support for the Division of Developmental Disabilities, a state agency crucial for aiding nearly 60,000 residents with disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and Down syndrome.
Governor Hobbs is urging the legislators to reach a bipartisan agreement that ensures the agency’s continuous funding till the fiscal year’s end. Currently, Republicans are pushing for reforms in the program before approving the new funding, which includes limiting the paid hours for parents caring for their disabled children. On the other hand, Democrats argue that the financial package should be settled first, with reforms being tackled subsequently.
Employing a tactic previously utilized by her Republican predecessors, Hobbs is withholding signatures on new bills to exert pressure over this budget stalemate. The situation intensified after Hobbs requested an additional $13 million for the Division of Developmental Disabilities, a move that puzzled Republicans, given her executive budget had already been released. This led to accusations from the Republican side of mismanaging the budget, sparking an ad hoc committee meeting to address these concerns. Representative David Livingston, who leads the House Appropriations Committee, expressed discontent at a hearing, labeling the potential early May shutdown of division programs due to funding shortfalls as unacceptable.
Further escalating the political clash, House Speaker Steve Montenegro criticized Hobbs’ veto ultimatum as “political blackmail.” Meanwhile, Hobbs, who faces reelection in 2026, accuses the Republicans of exploiting the funding crisis for political gain. According to her spokesperson Christian Slater, Hobbs remains committed to vetoing even the bills she supports until a bipartisan solution is reached.
“We have been waiting for far too long,” Slater stated, emphasizing the growing desperation among affected families. “Families are at the brink.”