Hobbs On Track To Set Another Bill Vetoing Record

As the end of the 2024 legislative session approaches, it is time to turn our attention to the governor’s action regarding the bills that have been sent to her.

As of the time of this writing, Hobbs has been sent 150 bills and she has vetoed 18. She is on schedule to beat, for the second year in a row, Napolitano’s record of 58 bills vetoed in 2005. In 2023, Hobbs did not just beat Napolitano’s record, but annihilated it by vetoing a whopping 143 bills, which was nearly triple the record-setting number vetoed by Napolitano.

Not all bills are created equal, and some vetoes are more egregious than others. Here are some examples of the worst offenders:

HB2629 – schools; instruction; victims of communism

As one who has experienced communism first hand, I find the vetoing of this bill particularly offensive. Almost as offensive is her veto letter, which contains two bogus rationalizations for vetoing HB2629.

First, she claims that the bill is not needed because we have in force HB2008, which was enacted in 2022. But HB2008 calls for a comparative study of political systems, which does not prohibit some teachers from presenting communism in a favorable manner. By contrast, HB2629 would mandate the exposure of communism as the evil system that it is.

Second, she attempts to redeem herself by proclaiming November 7 as Victims of Communism Day. While this proclamation was part of the bill, it is hardly a substitute for implementation of the whole bill.

Further discussion of this issue may be found in a recent ADI article, which may be read HERE

HB2183 – parental rights; medical records

Anyone who has read HB2183 with an open mind will conclude that Hobbs’ reason for vetoing it is totally false. She stated, “The measure as written could put the health and safety of vulnerable Arizonans at risk.” In fact, this bill would enhance the health and safety of those Arizonans. HB2183 is nothing more than an enhancement of the Parents Bill of Rights as found in ARS1-602. It contains the following language aimed at preventing misuse, “unless otherwise prohibited by law or unless the parent is the subject of an investigation of a crime committed against the minor child and a law enforcement official requests that the information not be released.” In reality what Hobbs did not like is that this bill is aimed at preventing the current trend of keeping parents in the dark regarding some medical activities involving their children.

SB1231 – state crime; illegal border crossings

Hobbs, in her veto letter, claims that this bill will not secure the border, and be “harmful” to communities and businesses, and “burdensome” to law enforcement personnel. However, it is hard to imagine anything more harmful and burdensome than what is happening at our southern border, with the blessing of Biden and Hobbs.

There was a house bill, HB2748, that contained the same language as SB1231. This house version continued to advance through the legislature even after Hobbs vetoed the senate version. Apparently, the hope was that if the house bill reached her desk, she may have had a changed of mind and sign it. The likelihood of that happening is very low, and it appears that HB2748 may have fizzled out.

More information about this issue may be found in an earlier ADI article, which may be read HERE

The legislature has sent to Hobbs 150 bills, and more will be sent in the next few days. This means that she will have ample opportunity to use her veto stamp mischievously, and possibly further solidify her dubious position as the Veto Queen of Arizona.

A list of all the bills that have been vetoed this session may be found by going to https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/VetoedBills

Citizens who wish to express their opinion on bills in front of Hobbs may do so by using the following contact information:

VIA EMAIL:  https://azgovernor.gov/contact/form/contact-governor-hobbs

VIA TELEPHONE:    Phoenix: 602.542.4331    Tucson: 520.628.6580