Gov. Katie Hobbs says any partisan state budget will ‘meet my veto pen’ ahead of deadline

PHOENIX — With the 2025-26 state budget deadline looming, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is staunchly against “any kind of partisan ‘continuation budget,'” according to a statement she released Saturday.

“I remain committed to having conversations about improving our bipartisan budget, but let me be clear: any kind of partisan ‘continuation budget’ will immediately meet my veto pen, if it even has the votes to reach my desk,” Hobbs said on X.

Just a day prior, the Republican-controlled Arizona Senate passed a $17.6 billion budget the House must approve it as well before Hobbs can sign it off.

The state must approve this year’s budget by June 30.

In a lead-in to Hobbs’ statement, she wrote on X that Arizona House Republicans are proposing an “irresponsible” budget despite her efforts to work up “a balanced and fiscally responsible budget.”

Hobbs specifically targeted Speaker Steve Montenegro for his “pointless political grandstanding” when the budget should be approved “on behalf of the people of Arizona.”

“We do not need another month, nor do we have the luxury of time, to redevelop a budget that we have already spent moths negotiating,” Hobbs said.

On June 12, Hobbs said the House proposal was “dead on arrival,” now doubling down on her stance in opposition to it.

Hobbs also added in her statement that the current budget’s makeup would “boost” House Republicans’ wealth while eating into funding for K-12 schools. Arizona school funding in June experienced a 40% cut due to a $200 million budget shortfall.

“It’s time for House Republican leadership to come back to reality,” Hobbs said.

The House will meet again Monday to continue budget discussions.

Arizona Senate state budget proposal

The current Arizona budget package approved by the Senate will include the following:

• $78 million for new public safety investments.
• $113 million for new transportation initiatives.
• $280 million for new K-12 education funding.
• $28 million for new higher education funding.
• $180 million for new health and welfare funding.
• $12 million for new water investments.

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