State Budget Negotiations Continue Behind Closed Doors

The Arizona House of Representatives reconvened on Tuesday last week for a contentious floor session, then adjourned until next week. 

Representatives spent much of the day debating a ballot measure on immigration enforcement. The House, like the Senate, passed the measure with only Republican support. Voters will consider the proposal in November if it withstands legal challenges.

What’s Next?

Budget negotiations continue behind the scenes as legislative leaders and the Governor try to find agreement on how to address the state’s fiscal deficit and address the Aggregate Expenditure Limit (AEL). 

The House is adjourned, and the Senate is still at recess; both chambers plan to reconvene on Wednesday, June 12. 

Court Rules on Agency Director Nominations

A Maricopa County judge said Governor Hobbs violated the law when she changed state agency leaders’ job titles to enable them to serve without Senate confirmation. 

The judge’s ruling sides with the Senate, stating that the Governor cannot go around the Senate’s confirmation process. It does not direct the Governor to submit the current leaders of state agencies for confirmation, however, allowing them to continue to serve and creating an opportunity for further discussion between the judge, Governor, and Senate leaders this summer.

Neither the Senate nor the Governor seem optimistic about further talks on the issue, and the Governor plans to appeal the ruling. Her office pledged to “continue to ensure state agencies can perform their vital functions and serve Arizonans” while the legal and political arguments continue.