By Reagan Priest | State Affairs
Gov. Katie Hobbs is doubling down after calling off budget negotiations last week, saying Republican lawmakers did not come to the table in good faith.
Hobbs told reporters at a press conference on Friday that Republicans flat out rejected any extension of Proposition 123, the voter-approved education funding measure that expired last year, despite her office bringing them a list of options.
“We have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to increase funding for our public schools and last week, Republicans told us they’re walking away from that,” Hobbs said. “And I don’t know how we balance our budget without that.”
Hobbs said Republicans are using one potential Prop. 123 plan, increasing the withdrawals from the state land trust to 10.9% over 20 years, as an excuse to reject an extension altogether. She also responded to criticism that her budget proposal isn’t balanced by once again calling on lawmakers to put their money where their mouth is.
