While Governor Katie Hobbs occasionally stressed in her state-of-the-state address on Monday that she hoped to be working across the aisle, the agenda she spelled out offered few realistic opportunities for legislative compromise.
In fact, although Hobbs claimed to “have a deep respect” for Arizona’s legislators for “answering the call of public service,” the words that followed made it clear to Republican lawmakers that her speech was not heart-felt.
Both Speaker of the House Ben Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen sat respectfully behind Hobbs as she took shots at school choice, promised to end the recently passed Educational Savings Account (ESA) program, endorsed abortion on demand without limits, and ignored issues much of the state is concerned about, like the over 60 percent of Arizonans who believe the state’s election process needs reforms.
Among the more controversial positions Hobbs took in front of newly-sworn-in members of the House and Senate was her call for illegal immigrants to get a taxpayer-funded college education. Her Promise For Dreamers Scholarship Program would require an initial $40 million investment out of the state’s budget.
Gov. KATIE HOBBS in her State of State stated that she would like to invest $40 million to help pay for illegal immigrants to attend college in Arizona . What about LEGAL citizens of Arizona or any other state?!
— Rep. Leo Biasiucci (@Leo4AzHouse) January 10, 2023
Most Republican lawmakers followed Toma and Petersen’s leads, sitting stoically as Hobbs railed. Others waited to express their disdain later.
However, a handful of lawmakers made a coordinated dramatic exit during her speech.
The pre-arranged stunt likely backfired on the Republicans who participated in it. Critics of the move noted that Democrats have spent years sitting quietly while Governors Ducey and Brewer gave Republicans reason to cheer. Among the Republicans who left the chamber were State Representatives Jacqueline Parker, Justin Heap, Rachel Jones, and State Senators Justin Wadsack and Jake Hoffman.
“Hobbs’ speech was pretty extreme in parts, but the Republican part of the story is now all about the Republicans who were too emotional to stay in their seats,” lamented one critic of the move.
READ TRANSCRIPT OF HOBBS SPEECH HERE
Republicans did offer a rebuttal to the speech: