Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro blasted Governor Hobbs on Thursday in response to her announcement of a “legislative moratorium.”
Earlier in the week, Hobbs’ announced that she will halt action on bills after the Legislature failed to give her the money she needs to cure a financial crisis she created.
“Governor Hobbs’ decision to hold every bill hostage because she didn’t get her way on a blank check is not leadership—it’s political blackmail. She created this crisis by foolishly expanding the DDD program without legislative approval or funding in place, and now she’s throwing a tantrum because the Legislature is doing the responsible thing: funding services while putting guardrails in place to keep the program from collapsing,” said Montenegro. “Let’s be clear: House Republicans are already advancing legislation to fully fund the DDD program. What the Governor demands is no oversight, no reforms, and no accountability for the financial mess she clearly made. That’s not a solution.”
“If Governor Hobbs was serious about protecting families, she’d stop the partisan press releases, stop the threats, and finally come to the table. Until then, she’s the one playing political games—at the expense of every Arizonan waiting for her to do her job,” concluded Montenegro.
Hobbs has accused Reps. David Livingston and Matt Gress of orchestrating “manufactured chaos,” in response to her administration’s fiscal mismanagement, “to engage in political warfare.”
“Today, Republicans forced through their unserious proposal in a stacked committee to slash services for Arizonans with disabilities, threaten Medicaid programs for middle class children and people with severe mental illness, and gut down payment assistance for working families,” said Hobbs.
“It’s time for Reps. Gress and Livingston to stop playing games while Arizonans in need grow increasingly desperate for the lifesaving services provided by the Parents as Paid Caregivers Program,” continued Hobbs. “This political theater is an attempt to attack me and my administration, but the only people harmed are everyday Arizonans, including the ones who bravely spoke up in committee asking Republican lawmakers to acknowledge their right to live with independence and dignity.”
Hobbs’ moratorium follows the passage of a supplemental spending bill, sponsored by Livingston, to fund the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) earlier this month.
“What we’re doing today is stepping up with a responsible, fully funded solution that protects families, restores order and keeps this from happening again,” Montenegro said in a statement after the bill was introduced on April 7. “We’re bringing compassion and common sense back into the process. Families deserve stability — not budget chaos and political excuses.”
One reason why Katie Hobbs is Governor of Arizona is partially due to ballot tampering and cheating. However, the bulk of the blame rests on the shoulders of Republicans who refused to vote for Kari Lake because of allegations that she was a “Rino” or some other hairbrained excuse. Registered Republicans in Arizona outnumber Democrats by more than 300,000 voters. There is no reason why we have two Senators, a Governor, State Attorney General and Secretary of State who are all Democrats. Arizona would be solid red if Republicans would just stop committing political suicide by refusing to vote for Republicans they have a gripe with.
Hobbs is the worst Governor we’ve ever had in our history. She is absolutely positively corrupt and dumb. Anyone who voted for her should be sent to a mental institution for psychiatric treatment.
I have no sympathy for these people.
They didn’t fight for Kari Lake. They got the “Governor” they deserved.
Honestly, given the weak pushback from the Republican legislature, I cannot fault Hobbs at this point. She is just doing what she thinks she can get away with. The Republicans at this point should have known better and gone on the offensive, but oh well.
I will add that my severely handicapped brother was very well taken care of by my younger sister for 20 years until his death at 52 yrs old. If it were not for the program paying her to stay home and do all his medical care it would have cost a whole lot more to put him in a facility! He’s gone 5 years now. Hard to believe. And yes Hobbs holds everyone hostage. She’s the most partisan evil person we’ve ever had in office. The DDD needs accountability and oversight in a responsible way. Nothing wrong with that. It’s time we all are accountable for our actions. The last four years of Biden and his ilk, have shoved down our throats that no one needs to be accountable for anything! Crime, spending taxes, taking Ukrainian bribes etc etc.
Hobbs is truly despicable. What a waste of oxygen. After all the voter rolls are completely cleaned, I believe it will show clearly she stole the election.
Ugly, woke despot.
Oh my! Hobbs, Mayes, Fontes, Kelly, Gallegos…is this state turning blue or are Ds doing that well at stealing elections?
This state has turned Blue already! It happened arou d the time when Sinema was elected Senator. But the conservatives are in denial. They still think this is a red state and act that way. They do not fight and put things out on the open.
she’s grandstanding holding the state and it’s people hostage – that she picked the disabled to attack – shows her ‘TRUE ILK’ a mean – self centered ‘B’ich – that cares for no one other than self. Its show’s that is the look on her face of self righteousness. She’ll go down and be remembered as the worst governor this state has ever had. Congratulations B’ich. “D” we know who you are.
Typical move by Hobbs. She spends like a drunken sailor then blames everyone else when the pocketbook is empty. And is there seriously a program to pay parent to be caregivers for their children?? That needs to be stopped immediately!
Debbie – I disagree with your ‘pay for parents to care givers for the “DISABLED” Children. Needs to be stopped – you missed the primary reason for the pay – DISABILITY – and I’m talking severe disability – brain injuries – cancers – I’ll say ‘nothing you would want for any one of your children.. things like care of “artificial airways’ feeding tubes – constant care situations. There are facilities where these patients are housed and cared for.. some parents take this on. Well worth the pay – these parents take on a significant responsibility with little respite from duty. Many of these children – young adults – are brain injured from disease, birth defects, severe injury from a variety of accidents – near drownings.. with significant residual injury. Would not wish this on anyone.
Can this idiot get any more looney. Go the f__k home Hobbs!