Amid the hustling atmosphere of state politics, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs sits down to candidly reflect on the outcomes of the recent legislative session. In interviews with ABC15 and the Arizona Capitol Times, Governor Hobbs outlined her achievements, the challenges faced, and the unfinished business that will have to carry over into future sessions.
Hobbs mentioned that despite a "very successful session," numerous hurdles persist, necessitating a continued fight into the coming year. Acknowledging her new veto record and the opposition she squared off against, Hobbs told the Arizona Capitol Times, "I’ve been really clear, I’m going to be a backstop against extreme legislation that attacks fundamental freedoms of Arizonans." She aims to actively maintain this stance in the future.
During the session, Hobbs scored legislative victories, most notably the passage of a $17.6 billion bipartisan budget and securing funding to protect individuals with developmental disabilities, a point of action she recounted as setting a positive tone for the budget discussions. "It was gut wrenching," Hobbs revealed in the Arizona Capitol Times interview, concerning the personal stories she heard, grounding the importance of such victories in lived experiences.
However, several key issues such as school voucher reform, education funding, and affordable housing initiatives remained unresolved. Hobbs plans to persistently address them when the legislature reconvenes in 2026. Despite certain Democratic opposition, she signed bills she felt addressed pressing problems, like the one for age verification for online content. "I have focused on not looking at the partisan solutions, but things that are addressing problems," Hobbs told the Arizona Capitol Times.
Reflecting on her numerous vetoes, Hobbs implied in her interview with ABC15 that they are not indicative of legislative ineffectiveness, but rather a necessary check on certain partisan proposals. With several bills vetoed that had previously been rejected under her term, Hobbs indicated a firm consistency in her stance.
Looking ahead, Hobbs maintains an optimistic outlook on her ability to push new initiatives and foster bipartisan support. She emphasized the importance of staying engaged, particularly when the legislative process becomes challenging. "Compromise is important and it’s important to stay at the table even when it gets really hard," Hobbs stated in her conversation with the Arizona Capitol Times, illustrating both her resilience and her commitment to governance that rises above partisan divisions.
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