By Jakob Thorington | Arizona Capitol Times
Key Points:
- House Republicans passed a caucus budget package
- Democrats and the governor have rejected the House budget
- One legislator believes the caucus budget is close to a bipartisan deal
Arizona House Republicans passed a $17.3 billion budget on party lines late June 13, but the spending package may not get through the Senate and doesn’t have the support of Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Hobbs called the proposal “dead on arrival” after the House Appropriations Committee passed it on June 12.
“From day one of the budget process, I have worked with leaders of both parties in both chambers to craft a bipartisan, balanced, and responsible budget. This reckless and partisan budget is not that. House Republicans are yet again playing political games, attempting to jam through a budget that would decimate the middle class families I fight for,” Hobbs said in a statement that same day.
Republicans spent all of June 13 negotiating and preparing draft amendments to the 15-bill package before passing it 31-0 at about 9:30 p.m. Every Democrat in the House skipped the vote.
“Tonight’s vote is a result of many months of negotiation and patience. It reflects what can happen when we stay focused on the priorities that matter to the people of Arizona,” said Speaker Steve Montenegro, R-Goodyear.
