Arizona’s Republican legislators are panning Governor Katie Hobbs’ effort to take credit for key provisions of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, a bill she opposed. The legislators are calling out Hobbs as a hypocrite for issuing an executive order that they say, “blatantly misleads the public and attempts to take credit for federal tax reforms secured by Republicans.”
Hobbs’ order directs the Arizona Department of Revenue to update state tax forms to match federal changes already established in H.R. 1 – middle-class tax cuts that were enacted under President Trump and congressional Republicans over universal opposition from Democrats.
Hobbs announced the executive order on X.com:
“I just signed an Executive Order directing our Department of Revenue to prepare for my Middle Class Tax Cuts Package delivering tax cuts for hardworking Arizonans.
Bigger deductions. Tax relief for seniors. No tax on tips, overtime, or new car loan interest.
It’s time to give the middle class relief.”
I just signed an Executive Order directing our Department of Revenue to prepare for my Middle Class Tax Cuts Package delivering tax cuts for hardworking Arizonans.
Bigger deductions. Tax relief for seniors. No tax on tips, overtime, or new car loan interest.
It’s time to give… pic.twitter.com/5cGA28Hf3V
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) November 20, 2025
Critics say Hobbs’ actions provide no new relief whatsoever, despite her portrayal to the contrary.
“Middle-class families deserve honesty, not last-minute attempts to steal credit for others’ hard work,” said Senator JD Mesnard. “On the one hand, I applaud the governor for tacitly admitting how the historic tax relief President Trump and congressional Republicans pushed through this summer will benefit millions of Arizonans. On the other hand, it’s a lot of gall for the governor to then claim ownership of it, especially when every single member of her party without exception voted against that relief. Let’s be clear: Governor Hobbs didn’t create these tax cuts — she’s trying to take a victory lap on the GOP’s work. That’s the deceptive politics that people have really come to hate. Couple that with the completely inappropriate suggestion that this governor — or any governor — has the power to unilaterally determine state tax policy by ‘directing’ an agency whose solemn task is collecting taxes from our citizens, and this action is beyond the pale.”
“The Legislature remains committed to formalizing the tax relief enacted by President Trump and Congress. I am looking forward to putting together a more comprehensive proposal that aligns and builds upon those reforms in ways that fully benefit Arizona’s hard-working families and small businesses in the upcoming session. And while I am confident that most voters will see through the governor’s charade, I do fear that her executive order will only create uncertainty and chaos for taxpayers in the meantime.”
House Speaker Steve Montenegro, Majority Leader Michael Carbone, Majority Whip Julie Willoughby, Speaker Pro Tempore Neal Carter, Ways & Means Chairman Justin Olson, and Appropriations Chairman David Livingston today issued a joint statement after Governor Hobbs announced her support for the Trump tax cuts:
“We note Governor Hobbs’ opportunistic decision to now embrace key provisions of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, including no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, additional deductions for seniors, and a higher standard deduction. These federal tax law changes—passed in July exclusively by Republicans in Congress—provide relief for working families, seniors, and small businesses.
Arizona House Republicans backed these tax cuts from the beginning, and the Governor’s late adoption of Republican policy solutions continues her pattern of leading from behind.
Her action today has no effect on helping Arizonans. The tax relief she now praises cannot be implemented without legislation passed by the Arizona Legislature. Her executive order changes nothing, though it does show she is prepared to sign a conformity bill once it reaches her desk.
The Arizona House stands ready to act and we are prepared to end the confusion on day one. To give taxpayers certainty heading into the upcoming filing season, we urge the Governor to call a special session on tax conformity the first day of the legislative session beginning January 12th.
Arizonans should not have to wait. Conformity ensures every taxpayer receives the full relief provided in the Trump tax cuts, and we look forward to sending the Governor a bill that delivers it.”
Congressman Andy Biggs, who hopes to face-off with Hobbs in the 2026 gubernatorial race blasted Hobbs tweeting, “After calling the Working Families Tax Cut a “betrayal” and opposing its passage, Katie Hobbs now shamelessly wants to take credit for the tax cuts President Trump and Republicans in Congress delivered for Arizona families. She will say and do anything to get re-elected; Arizonans cannot believe a word Katie Hobbs says.”
After calling the Working Families Tax Cut a “betrayal” and opposing its passage, Katie Hobbs now shamelessly wants to take credit for the tax cuts President Trump and Republicans in Congress delivered for Arizona families.
She will say and do anything to get re-elected;… https://t.co/CJ7OtqSd4s
— Andy Biggs (@andybiggs4az) November 20, 2025
It’s called POOP – O – Grande! it stinks as bad as it looks