Reaction was swift to the news that Governor Katie Hobbs signed two more controversial Executive Orders on Monday. Both orders target the LGBTQ population by requiring the state employee health care plan to cover gender-affirming surgery and barring state agencies from funding, promoting, or supporting conversion therapy treatment for minors.
“I was happy to be there today and witness these Executive Orders by @GovernorHobbs ! Our community will get the care they desire and be able to use their health insurance. I’m also grateful that no other child will subjected to harmful conversion therapy,” tweeted Rep. Nancy Gutierrez.
“Hobbs continues to show just how tone deaf she is with the majority of hard-working Arizonans. Her weak leadership abilities are on full display with every executive order and ignorant veto she drops,” tweeted Arizona Senate Republicans.
Hobbs continues to show just how tone deaf she is with the majority of hard-working Arizonans. Her weak leadership abilities are on full display with every executive order and ignorant veto she drops. https://t.co/GiD3tBJUhd
— AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) June 28, 2023
“Instead of helping struggling AZ families plagued by inflation, the governor just issued an order for taxpayers to cover the cost of elective, sex reassignment surgeries. This illegal, out of touch, unprecedented overreach did not receive proper JLBC review as required by law,” tweeted Senate President Warren Petersen.
.@GovernorHobbs ‘ Power Grab is Dangerous pic.twitter.com/Hui6KIP0WM
— Center for AZ Policy (@azpolicy) June 27, 2023
The Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative advocacy organization, issued a statement questioning Hobbs’ right to issue such executive orders:
Governor Katie Hobbs should have run for the Arizona legislature again if she wanted to make law. Arizona lawmakers who represent Arizonans from throughout the state are tasked with passing new laws, not the Governor.
This power grab is not only partisan, but it is unwise and dangerous. What she calls “conversion therapy” amounts to basic counseling for those struggling with their gender. It is likely unconstitutional to tell therapists what they can say and citizens what therapy they can seek. It is also unconscionable to block coverage for counseling and health services sought by state employees and their dependents.
Hobbs also appears to be encouraging irreversible and experimental sex change surgery and drug therapies at a time when European countries are increasingly pulling back because of the damage done to so many. We also continue to see more and more people detransition after regretting the permanent effects of such drug therapies and surgeries.
We are closely reviewing the terms of the executive order and researching Arizona statutes in case law.