By Howard Fischer | AZ Capitol Times
Key Points
- Aide says lawmakers should come to Hobbs to negotiate
- GOP plan cuts agency budgets, but includes some of Hobbs’ priorities
- Senate expected to evaluate the GOP proposal next week
House Speaker Steve Montenegro says it’s up to Gov. Katie Hobbs to reach for the phone if she wants a deal on the budget.
The Goodyear Republican told Capitol Media Services that GOP lawmakers have prepared their own plan for balancing the budget. He said that’s exactly what Hobbs demanded when she walked away from talks a month ago.
And he said it even includes some of what the Democratic governor proposed before she broke off talks, like money for child care.
“We’ve got a majority of this chamber agreeing on a budget,” Montenegro said. “We’re waiting for her to pick up the phone, email us, text us… She’s welcome to show up here.”
Gubernatorial press aide Christian Slater said the speaker shouldn’t sit by his phone — at least not now.
“The Governor’s Office received that budget two days ago,” he said.
