ARIZONA NEWS

Watch: Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs delivers State of the State address

Jan 8, 2024, 1:40 PM | Updated: 3:59 pm

YouTube video

PHOENIX — Katie Hobbs delivered her second State of the State address as Arizona’s governor on Monday, kicking off the new legislative session.

The Democrat spoke on several issues, including education, water, immigration and affordable housing. Addressing a nearly $1 billion shortfall expected in the next two fiscal years was also a main topic of the speech.

The legislative new year officially begins with the governor’s annual State of the State address. The goal is to wrap up the legislative session within 100 days, but lawmakers typically go until May or June, especially when there are difficult problems to negotiate like a budget shortfall.

Less than six months after they celebrated passing a bipartisan budget, lawmakers face a steep deficit due mostly to plummeting revenues from a massive tax cut that took full effect last year and skyrocketing costs from a school voucher program expansion.

A year ago, the state had a budget surplus of $1.8 billion. Now, it has a projected shortfall of about $400 million for the current fiscal year and another $450 million shortfall in the following year. Budget analysts say the shortfall will likely grow when the state’s next revenue forecast is released later this month.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

US 93 closed near Interstate 40 crash...

Payne Moses

Northbound US 93 reopens near Interstate 40 after crash

Both northbound lanes of U.S. 93 were reopened near Interstate 40 on Friday night after a crash, authorities said.

1 hour ago

Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale has released details on a $42 million transformation from a sports...

Bailey Leasure

ADOT continues work on Interstate 40, US 93 Kingman interchange

ADOT provided an update on its $106 million project connecting U.S. Route 93 and Interstate 40 in Kingman.

3 hours ago

Ground ambulance service program in Scottsdale to begin January 2025...

David Veenstra

Scottsdale Fire launching ground ambulance service

The Scottsdale Fire Department is launching a new ground ambulance service, the department announced on Friday.

4 hours ago

A former Arizona Secret Service agent pleaded guilty to stealing cryptocurrency, authorities announ...

David Veenstra

Former Arizona Secret Service agent pleads guilty to theft of crypto from evidence vault

A former Arizona Secret Service agent pleaded guilty to stealing cryptocurrency, authorities announced on Friday.

6 hours ago

Phoenix lottery ticket The Pick Jackpot prize unclaimed...

Payne Moses

Phoenix lottery ticket yields $2.6 million, prize still unclaimed

Pull out your latest lottery ticket because one worth $2.6 million was drawn Wednesday at a Phoenix gas station but remains unclaimed.

7 hours ago

The nighttime walk-through lights festival in Phoenix is open seven nights a week through Jan. 5, 2...

Serena O'Sullivan

Phoenix’s newest walk-through nighttime light festival celebrates nature, art, Chinese culture

The inaugural Tianyu Lights Festival in Phoenix has extended its hours to every day of the week through Jan. 5, 2025, due to its popularity.

8 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Act Now: Secure Your HVAC Equipment Before Prices Rise in 2025!

Phoenix, AZ – As the year draws to a close, Collins Comfort Masters is urging homeowners and businesses to take advantage of current pricing on HVAC equipment.

Watch: Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs delivers State of the State address