In Arizona Legislature’s first day, divisions with new governor were on display; several Republicans walked out during Hobbs’ State of the State address. || Arizona Capitol Television via Twitter
By Caitlin Sievers || Arizona Mirror
Gov. Katie Hobbs called for collaboration between Republicans and Democratic lawmakers during her first state of the state speech Monday, but the challenges facing her new administration were on full display, as some Republicans turned their backs on her and others walked out of the room to show how they felt about her policy plans.
In her address to the first joint session of Arizona’s 56th Legislature, whose members were sworn in earlier that day, Hobbs echoed many of the themes she focused on during her inauguration speech last week. She pounded home the point home that her “door is open” to both Republican and Democratic lawmakers who want to make positive changes in Arizona.
“Let’s work together to make a significant impact in the lives of the families and communities of this state today and for years to come by lowering costs, investing in public education, securing our water future, tackling the affordable housing crisis and other real issues that are holding back too many,”
GOV. Katie Hobbs
Hobbs touched on some of the most pressing issues facing the state, like the aggregate expenditure limit or AEL, that public schools are expected to hit in March, preventing them from spending a collective $1.3 billion necessary to keep schools running.
