Governor Katie Hobbs is being accused of plagiarism after introducing a new executive rulemaking effort that is intended to help alleviate childcare shortages in Arizona.
The governor’s plan incorporates key parts of Republican Rep. Matt Gress’ bill, HB 2227, which sought to ensure that more children in Arizona have access to affordable, quality childcare and school-age programming.
#HB2227 provides more childcare options for Arizona families.
Given the lack of providers for school-age children, we must act to increase the supply of childcare centers to better serve our community.
I applaud the Governor for implementing key parts of my legislation. https://t.co/xxHrA1WvFJ pic.twitter.com/wr6RN6sbYs
— Matt Gress (@MatthewGress) May 6, 2023
Critics say that they are somewhat relieved that the governor copied Gress’ plan because it will be actually implemented rather than his legislation likely being vetoed just for being a Republican bill.
Hobbs has broken the record set by Governor Janet Napolitano for the number of vetoes issued in a Legislative Session. Hobbs as even gone as far as to veto highly popular bipartisan legislation like the “Tamale Bill.” That bill would have allowed hard-strapped families to sell homemade foods without going through a rigorous and expensive licensing process.
Gress’ bill addressing childcare shortages in Arizona had bipartisan support in the Legislature. As a result, the only criticism Hobbs should encounter is the charge of plagiarism.
Gress’ bill would expand childcare opportunities for working families by updating licensing rules for providers that serve school-age children during non-school hours. The change would allow more families access to affordable quality childcare before and after school and during the summer months.
Gress’ brought several groups to the table in the development of his bill, including the Boys & Girls Club and other local childcare centers. He believes that effort charted a path forward to a sensible solution.
Both HB 2227 and the new rule would provide more options and create a pathway for eligible families to send their kids to organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs.
“This policy is designed to expand opportunities for Arizona’s working families and provide more options for their children when they are not in school,” Gress said. “Given the lack of providers for school-age children, it is crucial that we increase the supply of childcare centers to better serve our communities. For parents that qualify for federal subsidy, this effort will help ensure that parents can continue to work and provide for their families. I applaud the Governor for taking action on this important issue.”
According to the Governor’s Office, Hobbs’ rulemaking “builds on the work done during this legislative session by Rep. Matt Gress who brought stakeholders together multiple times to further discuss expanding access to childcare assistance.”
Hobbs is also taking action to provide direct relief to families by issuing a one-time summer childcare payment of $500 per child to cover the mandatory registration fees for children involved with the Department of Child Safety who participate in the Subsidized Child Care Program through DES. This includes children in foster care, kinship care, as well as children in families receiving in-home services who have recently participated in the childcare assistance program.