Governor Katie Hobbs has introduced new measures to manage expenses and protect services for individuals with disabilities. These actions follow months of discussions with stakeholders, including service providers, health organizations, and advocate parents. The move comes amid a political disagreement with Republican lawmakers pushing for significant budget cuts that could affect services for people with developmental disabilities. Hobbs stated, "It is outrageous that the legislative majority continues to hold Arizonans with autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome hostage to their political stunts," according to the Office of the Governor.
Governor Hobbs has proposed a 40-hour weekly cap on the Parents as Paid Caregiver program, set to begin on July 1. An improved assessment process will also be introduced on October 1, to ensure caregiving meets the standard of "extraordinary care." Additionally, a new billing system will be implemented on July 1, to enhance data tracking and trend forecasting. Hobbs criticized her political opponents, stating, "Now that I have implemented cost-control measures, they need to pass a clean supplemental bill and give Arizonans with disabilities and their caregivers the certainty that they deserve," as reported by the Office of the Governor.
The state of Arizona is currently debating a $48.4 million supplemental funding request for the ESA entitlement program in the upcoming fiscal year. Supplemental funding requests are a common part of state budgeting, with past budgets under Governor Ducey including amounts ranging from $26 million to $691 million. Republican legislators are likely to support the funding for the ESA program, despite opposing funding for disability services and refusing to implement accountability measures, as stated by the Office of the Governor.
