Katie Hobbs in 2023 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Abortion:
My administration will always protect reproductive freedom
I refuse to stand by and do nothing as my daughter--or anyone's daughter--now has fewer rights today than I did growing up. My administration will always protect reproductive freedom for all Arizonans.
I will not support, and I will use every power of the governor's office to stop, any legislation or action that attacks, strips, or delays the liberty or inherent right of any individual to decide what's best for themselves or their families.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
On Education:
We must immediately override archaic funding cap
We must first address the potential catastrophe that will happen in just a few months if the legislature does not act to address the archaic funding cap--officially known as the Aggregate Expenditure Limit--by March 1. The solution is simple and it
doesn't cost another penny. Representative David Cook has already introduced a resolution to override this outdated limit. This legislature should bring it to the floor. The Democrats in both chambers are ready to act on this immediately.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
On Education:
Vouchers lack accountability; will likely bankrupt the state
Rather than doing the right thing, the previous legislature passed a massive expansion of school vouchers that lacks accountability and will likely bankrupt this state. In fact, funding this expansion is poised to cost Arizona taxpayers an estimated
$1.5 billion over the next 10 years if left unaddressed. That's why when my budget is delivered on Friday, you will see that it truly invests in public schools and students--ensuring we are a Prepared Arizona.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
On Education:
It's not an educator shortage; it's a retention crisis
The reality is, we don't have an educator shortage, what we have is a retention crisis. There are too many amazing professionals who have walked away from the career they love because of the uncompetitive salaries, onerous policies, and unfunded
mandates this state has chosen to implement that rob educators of the joy of teaching. Teachers are creating the workforce and leaders of tomorrow, and it's time we started treating them with the respect they deserve.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
On Education:
Expand Arizona Promise Scholarship Program for state college
For tens of thousands of students, choosing to pursue a four-year degree from one of our state's major public universities is the right path. That's why we're expanding the Arizona Promise Scholarship Program, which last year made college more
affordable for over 4,000 families, by including funding capacity for an additional 10,000 students who will now have an opportunity to pursue a college degree but otherwise would have been held back by the associated costs.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
On Environment:
I plan to tackle our water issues openly and directly
In the next few minutes you will receive a previously unreleased report by the Arizona Department of Water Resources that shows that portions of Phoenix's far West Valley are currently short of the 100-year Assured Water Supply Program by 15% today.
This report unequivocally shows that we have to act now, or this will only be the first new area that faces this kind of shortage. I don't understand, and do not in any way agree with, my predecessor choosing to keep this report from the
public and from members of this legislature. However, my decision to release this report signals how I plan to tackle our water issues openly and directly.[Note: The federally-funded Central Arizona Project conveys water about 190 miles from the
Colorado River on the Arizona-California border through a system of canals to Phoenix & Tucson (phoenix.gov); the "Assured Water Supply Program" includes diverting Colorado River water which would otherwise have reached California and Mexico].
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
On Government Reform:
Close water poaching loophole that's being exploited
In many parts of our state, there are effectively no restrictions on groundwater pumping. A new water user can move in, dig a well, and pump as much water as possible--even if it dries up the community's aquifer. This is why you see a Saudi
Arabian conglomerate pumping local groundwater nearly unchecked in La Paz County, to grow water-intensive crops and send them to the other side of the planet. Let's close this water poaching loophole and modernize the Arizona Groundwater Management Act.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
On Immigration:
$40M for scholarships regardless of immigration status
But we're not stopping there. In line with the will of Arizona's voters in passing Proposition 308 this past November, my budget allocates
$40 million to create the Promise for DREAMers Scholarship Program to cover all students, regardless of immigration status.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
On Immigration:
Support border communities, push for immigration reform
Speak to leaders in border communities and across our state and it's clear they need real solutions after decades of failed leadership by both parties. We must take a holistic, realistic, and humane approach to help solve this issue. That means
supporting sheriffs and local law enforcement in impacted communities--and it also means supporting community centers and hospitals. While optimistic, I will also continue to push Congress to do its job and pass comprehensive immigration reform.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
On Principles & Values:
Let's work together, not chase conspiracy theories
If you're ready to make real progress on the issues that matter most to the people of this state, then my door will always be open. However, chasing conspiracy theories, pushing agendas for special interests, attacking the rights of your fellow
Arizonans or seeking to further undermine our democracy will lead nowhere. Instead, I would like to extend an invitation. Let's work together to make a significant impact in the lives of the families and communities of this state.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
On Tax Reform:
Child tax credit for families earning less than $40K/year
My budget sets aside $50 million for a state-level, child tax credit for families earning less than $40,000 a year to help pay for the rising costs of basic necessities for their children. We will also help lower costs for Arizona families by exempting
diapers and feminine hygiene products from our state's sales tax. We can and should help provide this relief to individuals and families who too often must choose between paying their bills or paying for the things they need to be healthy.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2023