By Stacey Barchenger | Arizona Republic
A GOP-backed bill sparked by Gov. Katie Hobbs’ initial refusal to publicly report the special interests paying upwards of $1.9 million for her inauguration events won support of Republicans and Democrats in the state Senate on Monday.
Senate Bill 1299 would require governors to report publicly information about who is funding their inauguration ceremonies, how much they are contributing and how that money is spent.
It comes as Republican lawmakers in particular have blasted Hobbs for only disclosing such details under pressure. Even after she disclosed some information, The Arizona Republic found the public still does not have a complete ledger of the spending.
What lawmakers are saying
The Senate voted 29-0 to approve the bill, with Democrats joining the Republican majority in support of the measure. (Sen. Eva Diaz, D-Tolleson, did not attend the vote because she was ill, according to the Democrats’ spokesperson.)
“In light of Governor Hobbs’ lack of real and authentic transparency on her handling of the inauguration fund, this legislation is much needed to provide the people of Arizona with confidence that their duly elected governor is not illegally using state resources to advance political agendas,” Sen. Janae Shamp, R-Surprise, said in a statement.
