Arizona's legislature has taken significant steps towards addressing a $122 million deficit in the state's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) fund. According to ABC15, the Arizona House passed House Bill 2945 after negotiations that stretched into the night, finding bipartisan support in a measure that promises to sustain nearly 60,000 Arizonans reliant on DDD.
With the DDD teetering dangerously close to a fiscal cliff—one week from being unable to disburse payments or provide services—lawmakers from both sides of the aisle agreed on the need to quickly intervene. State Rep. David Livingston, in a statement to ABC15, reflected on the day's success, "This was very difficult, but it came down to teamwork, and House Republicans and House Democrats working together to get the job done." The same report indicates that the House bill pulled the needed funds from the prescription drug rebates fund and managed to not solely place undue strain on other important programs like the Parents as Paid Caregivers Program.
Meanwhile, the Arizona House of Representatives' passage of HB 2945 was not without its dissenters, as all 11 votes against the bill were cast by Republicans, according to a report from AZ Family. Receiving an endorsement from Gov. Katie Hobbs, who previously warned of vetoes if the DDD funding wasn't resolved, the bill now marches toward the Senate in anticipation of swift approval. "The House has overwhelmingly approved a responsible and effective plan to fully fund Arizona’s Developmental Disabilities program and ensure services continue for the families of 60,000 vulnerable adults and minors who rely on this vital safety net," Gov. Hobbs exclaimed, according to AZ Family. Excitement runs high as this crucial legislative action draws closer to reality, potentially ending the looming threat to DDD services.
The urgency of the situation has united legislators who are normally at impasse, with advocates from within the DDD community actively supporting the bill and urging for its prompt Senate approval. As Arizona now faces the challenge of hashing out its state budget, HB 2945 shines as a beacon of cooperative governance at a critical juncture for countless families across the state, as per ABC15. Rep. Livingston summed it up, stating, "One of the things it shows is, the governor can rely on the House and the House Republicans and House Democrats to work together to get things done." This elaboration underlines the collaborative effort that has characterized the push to address the deficit, bridging gaps in a typically divisive political landscape.
