Arizona Republicans have gotten most of what they wanted this year – The Arizona Republic
Opinion: It is both amazing and at times downright depressing what the Republican Legislature has accomplished this year. This, with the barest of majorities and a Democratic governor.
As the Arizona Legislature takes yet another vacation, let us pause to consider the many accomplishments of the Republicans who run the joint.
No, really.
Theres been a fair amount of focus on the 72 (and counting) times Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has infuriated Republicans by vetoing their various bad bills and a few good ones.
But consider what this, the most conservative Republican Legislature in my memory, has been able to accomplish with the barest of majorities and a Democrat on the Ninth Floor for the first time in 14 years.
Everybody (OK, well, me) expected the far-right Republicans who comprise the Arizona Freedom Caucus to be rolled over as the year wore on and sanity prevailed sometime in the wee hours of late June, right before a state government shutdown.
Everybody (OK, me again) expected the partys more pragmatic Republicans to team up with Hobbs and the Democrats to make a deal, as happened last year when Republican Gov. Doug Ducey was at the helm.
Instead, Republicans have stuck together all year, making Democratic legislators look largely irrelevant and on occasion, downright silly. (See: the tamale bill wherein 12 Democrats enthusiastically voted for the bill before they suddenly voted against it to spare Hobbs the embarrassment of a veto override.)
Consider the culture war bills. Not surprisingly, Republicans have spent endless hours doing battle with drag queens and transgender children and public school teachers who they apparently believe lay awake nights plotting to groom their children.
None of their bills will become law, thanks to Hobbs and her veto stamp. But thats almost better for Republican lawmakers as they prepare to hit the trail next year to try to preserve their slim majority.
The campaign pitch writes itself.
Consider teacher pay. Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, has been pushing a bill that would boost teacher pay by $10,000 over the next two years, catapulting Arizonas public schools out of the subbasement and onto the upper floors of teacher compensation in America.
Democrats oppose the bill, saying its a poorly written proposal that contains no guarantee of funding beyond 2025 and could lead to layoffs. Besides, they say, it wouldnt apply to other educators and school staff.
Democrats have pointed to some legitimate problems with this bill, especially the need for flexibility in the event of a downturn in the economy. But theyve also declined thus far to work with Gress to address those problems.
This, as Arizona continues to face a critical shortage of qualified classroom teachers.
Consider the budget. Hobbs negotiated a $17.8 billion spending plan with Republican legislative leaders, leaving her Democratic allies on the outside looking in.
I know not everyone got what they wanted, including me, Hobbs said on Monday, during a press conference to highlight a $150 million deposit into the Housing Trust Fund, an amount more than double the previous largest contribution.
Actually, it appears Republicans got exactly what they wanted.
Their No. 1 priority was to protect their universal voucher program from a governor who had vowed to repeal it, warning that it would likely bankrupt the state.
They didnt even have to accept so much as a minuscule cap to the program that was supposed to cost $33 million year and is now at 10 times that and growing.
Instead, Hobbs stunned her fellow Democrats and public school supporters by agreeing to continue the runaway program.
How money talks: Hobbs, Ducey got bipartisan budget deals differently
She also caved on her campaign vows to exempt diapers and feminine hygiene products from the state sales tax and to offer an annual $100-per-child tax credit to low-income Arizonans.
Hobbs did win a huge pot of mostly one-time money to boost public schools and a sizable budget to help with affordable housing and the homeless.
Meanwhile, Republicans not only protected their constituents who want public money to pay their kids private school tuition, they won a one-time $250-per-child tax rebate for Arizona families (maximum $750 per family), a plan spearheaded by the Freedom Caucus.
They even managed to attach language to the budget that prevents Hobbs from trying to take any credit for the tax rebate.
To wit: No letter relating to the Arizona families tax rebate issued under this section shall be sent from the governors office, be sent on the governors letterhead or reference the governors office.Freedom Caucusers were all smiles on Monday and for good reason.
While Hobbs tax credit for the poor wilted and died, their tax credit for the non-poor funded solely with Republicans share of the budget surplus is now law, with a promise of more to come next year from Freedom Caucus Chair Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek.
Arizona families are hurting while they attempt to pay for the most basic necessities each month , he said on Monday, during a press conference to highlight the $260 million tax rebate. In the meantime, government is flush with cash and in the position to give back to our honest, hardworking taxpayers.
The money wont reach the neediest Arizonans, the ones who dont earn enough to pay taxes.
Or to taxpayers who wipe out their state tax liability by making charitable contributions that qualify for a tax credit.
But itll be an effective bullet on Republicans reelection brochures, as will the substantial slab of bacon they delivered to their districts in the form of road and bridge projects.
All this, they got without having to agree to allow Maricopa Countys transportation tax to be put to a public vote next year.
And without Hoffman and his fellow Republican senators having to agree to stop gumming up the works as Hobbs tries to fill out her Cabinet.
Certainly, both sides got something out of the budget.
But theres a reason Hoffman, one of the Legislatures most conservative members, signed on as a primary sponsor of this years budget bills.
Reach Roberts atlaurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at@LaurieRoberts.
Support local journalism:Subscribe to azcentral.comtoday.
Read the rest here:
Arizona Republicans have gotten most of what they wanted this year - The Arizona Republic
- The Republicans who still haven't endorsed Donald Trump - The Economist - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- 'Incredibly positive': Disability advocates commend Kansas Republicans' effort on waitlists Kansas Reflector - Kansas Reflector - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- The AZ Senate has repealed the 1864 abortion ban, after 2 Republicans join Dems - Arizona Mirror - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Voters could support abortion rights and Republicans in November - NPR - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- E&C Republicans Open Investigation into Allegations of Political Bias at Taxpayer-Funded NPR, Request Attendance ... - Energy and Commerce Committee - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Republicans, concerned about dairy industry, urge calm about H5N1 bird flu - STAT - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- House Republicans, Seeking Political Edge Amid College Protests, Spotlight Antisemitism - The New York Times - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- 2024 election poll: Trump vs. Biden and what Republicans and Democrats fear - NPR - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Republicans, Democrats, and Donald Trump Agree on One Thing: Marjorie Taylor Greene's Move to Oust Mike ... - Vanity Fair - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Kristi Noems dog-killing embodies the cruel phoneyness of todays Republicans - The Guardian - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Opinion | Republicans preferred China strategy is reckless and dangerous - The Washington Post - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Letter: Are the Democrats more faithful to the Constitution than the Republicans? Let's consider health care to answer ... - Salt Lake Tribune - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Republicans Call on NPRs Chief, Katherine Maher, to Testify on Bias - The New York Times - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- The 8 types of Democrats and Republicans in the House - ABC News - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene launches her plan to oust Speaker Johnson - The Washington Post - The Washington Post - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Tennessee's school voucher debate turns to competitive Republican state House and Senate primaries Tennessee ... - Tennessee Lookout - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Roy eyes steamroller agenda if Republicans sweep in November - Roll Call - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- The Governor of Kansas Vetoed Four Anti-Abortion Measures. Republicans Rammed Them Through Anyway. Mother ... - Mother Jones - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- House Republicans expand investigations into campus antisemitism - Inside Higher Ed - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Bill to Combat Antisemitism on Campuses Prompts Backlash From the Right - The New York Times - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- House Republicans Are Standing Up Against Antisemitic Mobs That Have Overrun America's Colleges & Universities - GOP.gov - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- This High-Ranking Republican Supports an Off-the-Wall Solution to Tackle Social Security's $22.4 Trillion Cash Shortfall - The Motley Fool - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Trump says Republicans always wanted to leave abortion law to states. That's false. - NBC News - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Stapilus: It's not how many Republicans there are, but what kind - Idaho Press - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- How House Republicans Are Responding To Campus Protests : The NPR Politics Podcast - NPR - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Republicans catching up with Democrats on mail-in voting - Washington Times - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Campus Protests Over Gaza Open a New Line of Attack for GOP in 2024 Election - The New York Times - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- After losing three straight times, are Republicans as invested in Vegas House seats? - The Nevada Independent - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Congressional Republicans announce resolution to overturn Biden tailpipe rule - The Hill - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- NC Senate Republicans advance bill forcing law enforcement cooperation with ICE NC Newsline - NC Newsline - May 5th, 2024 [May 5th, 2024]
- Republicans are airing out their inability to govern on 2024 campaign trail - The Washington Post - March 26th, 2024 [March 26th, 2024]
- Rep. Mike Gallagher to resign in April, narrowing House GOP vote margin to 1 - The Washington Post - March 26th, 2024 [March 26th, 2024]
- Some Republicans who supported Nikki Haley are still refusing to back Donald Trump - Firstpost - March 26th, 2024 [March 26th, 2024]
- North Dakota Republicans will caucus on the eve of Super Tuesday. Here is what to expect - The Associated Press - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Michigan Republicans chart their path forward after months of disarray - USA TODAY - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Analysis | A fifth of Trump supporters think he committed a serious crime - The Washington Post - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Opinion | Democracy is imperiled globally. Republicans aren't helping. - The Washington Post - The Washington Post - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Murphy: For Donald Trump And The Republicans, The Border Is Just A Moneymaking Grievance Machine That They ... - Senator Chris Murphy - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- In Georgia, Republicans and Democrats line up to run for office - The Atlanta Journal Constitution - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Republicans Who Like Putin - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- GOP life-at-conception bill scrutinized after Alabama IVF ruling - The Dallas Morning News - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Senate Republicans Block Murray and Duckworth Bill to Protect IVF After Flurry of Republican Statements Expressing ... - Senator Patty Murray - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Nikki Haley Defeats Trump in 2024 Washington, D.C., GOP Primary - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Republicans Nod to Trump's Influence in Race to Succeed McConnell - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Haley Is Still Struggling to Deal With Trump's Grip on Their Party - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Washington, D.C. Republican Primary Election 2024: Live Results - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- These two Republicans endorsed in dozens of Texas House races. One put his money where his mouth is. - KUT - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- The anti-voucher House Republicans spared from Abbotts wrath - The Texas Tribune - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Ukraine's troops are rationing ammunition. Yet House Republicans plan to take weeks to mull more aid - The Associated Press - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- In Texas races, Gov. Abbott targets fellow Republicans who oppose vouchers - The Washington Post - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Alaska Republicans head to the polls Tuesday with Trump, Haley and Ramaswamy on the ballot Alaska Beacon - Alaska Beacon - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Here's What's in the Bipartisan Spending Bill to Prevent a Partial Shutdown - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Trump Ballot Eligibility Ruling Elicits Mixed Reactions Ahead of Super Tuesday - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- 'Embarrassment': Republicans hit Austin hard during tense hearing over his hospitalization - POLITICO - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Republicans want earmarks for their districts but vote against spending bills - The Washington Post - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- On Israel, Trump Is Even Worse Than Biden - The Intercept - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Alabama IVF ruling leaves Republicans stuck between their base and the broader public - The Guardian US - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Analysis | Hunter Biden gives House Republicans the rebuttal they didn't want - The Washington Post - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Reflecting Congressional divisions over U.S. involvement with Ukraine, Republicans are more reluctant than ... - AP-NORC - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Murphy says Republicans want the border to be a mess - The Hill - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- 2 Republicans vie to take on vulnerable Democrat in November - Spectrum News - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Senate Republican Blocks Bill to Protect I.V.F. Treatment - The New York Times - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- The Idaho Republican Presidential Caucus is Saturday. Here's what to know. Idaho Capital Sun - Idaho Capital Sun - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Ignoring Warnings, G.O.P. Trumpeted Now-Discredited Allegation Against Biden - The New York Times - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Biden Calls Republicans in Congress 'Worse' Than Strom Thurmond - The New York Times - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- N.Y. Republicans Pick a Former Police Detective to Challenge Gillibrand - The New York Times - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Opinion: MAGA Republicans pushing to impeach President Biden don't seem to notice the egg on their faces - Los Angeles Times - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Republicans vote to make it harder to amend Missouri Constitution - The Associated Press - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Alabama IVF ruling spurs a GOP reckoning on conception bills - Roll Call - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- What's in the House Republican Mississippi Medicaid expansion bill? - Mississippi Today - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Trump Strengthens Grip on Capitol Hill as He Presses Toward Nomination - The New York Times - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Electability is all Democrats discussed in 2020. In 2024, Republicans don't care - NPR - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Trump Forces Terrified Republicans to Bend the Knee Yet Again - The New Republic - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Republicans Roll the Dice on the Border - National Review - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- House Republicans now have one of the smallest majorities in history - NBC News - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Senate Republicans are coming to grips with another Donald Trump nomination - NBC News - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- In States Where Republicans Banned Abortion With No Exception for Rape, Rape Led to 58979 Pregnancies Post-Roe - Vanity Fair - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Why Hochul's budget is a headache for Suozzi - POLITICO - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- After Early Primary Victories, Republicans in Congress Fall in Line Behind Trump - The New York Times - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- New Hampshire exit polls: Republicans were just half of voters in their own primary - Reuters - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]