State News Update

Over the last six months, political insiders from across the state predicted the 2020 election would result in the Democrats controlling at least one chamber of the State Legislature in January.

This week the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the Invest in Education Act will appear on the November ballot. This action overturned the Maricopa County Superior Court ruling last month that would have prevented the measure from appearing on the ballot because the initiative’s summary did not accurately reflect the Act’s provisions.

On April 14, 2020, President Robbins joined Governor Doug Ducey to announce that UArizona will partner with the state on a COVID-19 antibody testing initiative.

The week of March 16, 2020, the legislature quickly moved to begin drafting a FY21 state budget amid the growing COVID-19 concern.

State Relations, the University of Arizona Alumni Association, and Associated Students of the University of Arizona jointly hosted the annual Cats at the Capitol event on March 2nd.  Cats at the Capitol is an opportunity for the UArizona community to thank legislators and staff for their public service and tout the significant impact the university has on Arizona.

This week President Robbins, along with President Crow and President Cheng, participated in the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s annual Valley Voices event. The three Presidents discussed the “State of Higher Education” in Arizona and shared the vision and priorities for their respective institutions.

On January 13, 2020 Arizona’s Fifty-fourth legislature began the session.  President Robbins attended the opening day ceremony as a guest of House Speaker Rusty Bowers.  Later in the week Governor Ducey released his Executive Budget Proposal for FY21.

Katie joins the University of Arizona from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. While at the Chamber, Katie managed the federal affairs agenda and assisted with all state lobbying efforts.

Along with many UA friends and supporters, Governor Doug Ducey joined President Robbins and Disability Resource Center (DRC) Athletic Director Pete Hughes to celebrate state support for Adaptive Athletics.