For Star subscribers: Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs says one reason for her record 143 vetoes is the GOP-controlled Legislature sent her some extreme bills it knew she would block.
Howard Fischer PHOENIX — If nothing else, Gov. Katie Hobbs has gained her place in history by having vetoed more bills than any other Arizona governor.
She suggested that the Republican-controlled Legislature sent her some extreme bills as veto bait, including some that moderate Republicans wouldn't have supported if they thought there was any chance they would become law. Blocked from becoming lawsThere were some that fit into that area of rights, such as her rejection of four measures designed to target"drag'' shows and performers.
GOP lawmakers sent Hobbs measures changing the verification procedures for early ballots, altering how ballot signature challenges are handled, barring the use of artificial intelligence anywhere in the election process, making it easier to remove people from the early voting list and requiring the public posting of ballot images.
One of the biggest vetoes — actually 13 separate ones — was over the"skinny budget'' approved by GOP lawmakers in February, one that simply extended current funding into the new fiscal year. They essentially dared her to veto it, saying if she didn't sign it they would not enact another state budget — and the state would run out of authority to pay its bills on July 1.
As of last year there were about 12,000 students enrolled and eligible for the vouchers, which provide an average of about $7,200 a year. "If there is no cap on ESA vouchers in this budget, we will have a catastrophic deficit next year,'' Senate Minority Leader Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe, said in a Twitter post shortly after the deal was announced.
Hobbs, in her post-session interview, defended not vetoing the budget when she had a chance and could have demanded a cap on growth, if not a repeal of the expansion. Figures from the Education Data Initiative say the current average cost of tuition at private elementary schools is $9,365. That compares with the basic voucher for elementary and middle school students who have no special needs at $6,764.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Big 12 officials green-light Arizona to join conference; Arizona board of regents vote still pendingAnother school is on the verge of leaving the Pac-12 for the Big 12.
Read more »
Arizona in talks to join Big 12; Arizona State deciding on possible move: AP sourceA meeting of regents who oversee Arizona and Arizona State was being held Thursday night that could determine whether the Sun Devils and Wildcats are ready to leave the Pac12.
Read more »
Big 12 completes Pac-12 raid by adding Arizona, Arizona State and Utah for 2024The Big 12 will be a 16-team conference, spanning from Florida to Arizona, in the fall of 2024.
Read more »
Lego Star Wars Death Star Trash Compactor Diorama reviewThis Lego Star Wars diorama certainly isn't trash.
Read more »
‘Star Wars’ vs. ‘Star Trek’: Which Sci-Fi Franchise’s Collectibles Rule the the Galaxy?We explore the variables to help you decide which multi-billion-dollar project provides better space-age entertainment.
Read more »
Arizona's extreme heat is killing honeybees and melting their homes | CNNAs deadly, unrelenting heat scorches Arizona, some entomologists are growing concerned about the increasing number of dead honeybees – a species vital to our ecosystem, especially food production
Read more »