The Arizona Senate is under fire as it scrambles to pass what insiders are calling “the Governor’s budget” — a proposal advanced without the full support of House leadership or core conservatives.
On Thursday, the House recessed and adjourned until Monday, effectively leaving the Senate to push forward alone with a fragile deal and a growing credibility gap.
“This isn’t the final step,” said one senior House aide. “The Senate and the Governor went rogue. The House still has to vote — and we’re prepared to amend.”
Frustration has boiled over among House Republicans, many of whom say the budget chaos could have been avoided if Governor Hobbs and Senate President Warren Petersen had made any attempt to include the House in negotiations.
“All of this could’ve been avoided with a little communication and respect for the process,” said one Republican lawmaker. “Instead, they’re trying to jam through a budget built behind closed doors.”
Tensions escalated as a series of conservative-backed amendments—offered by Senators Frank Carroll, David Gowan, Jake Hoffman, Kevin Payne, Vince Leach and Janae Shamp — were defeated by a coalition of Democrats and establishment Republicans. Conservatives now hope House Speaker Steve Montenegro can improve the legislation, but insiders say the path forward is riddled with political landmines.
“Let’s be honest — Petersen recessed the Senate on Wednesday because he was getting rolled by his own members,” said one source familiar with the internal dynamics. “Rather than face another public defeat on conservative amendments, they pulled the plug and pivoted to a behind-the-scenes scramble.”
Meanwhile, Petersen left the Senate to attend the West Valley kickoff for his campaign for Attorney General while the Senate remained in turmoil—raising eyebrows across the Capitol.
Budget language also continues to emerge in real time, often with no clear authorship or transparency.
“Blurb after blurb is showing up that nobody agreed to,” one lawmaker said. “No discussion. No transparency. Just backroom maneuvering.”
And despite talk of progress, doubts persist. “They should have delivered a budget yesterday, and now they’re still facing hurdles today,” said a lobbyist familiar with the situation, who asked not to be named due to ongoing negotiations. “ There’s nothing for members to vote on tomorrow.”
Despite the challenges, there’s hope that House Speaker Steve Montenegro can bring clarity and unity to the process when the House reconvenes – if it reconvenes. Petersen could stick taxpayers with the bloated budget by declaring Sine Die, shutting this legislative session down and any further negotiations.
The Arizona Freedom Caucus is opposed to the Hobbs-Petersen Democrat budget.
Their budget is stuffed full of pork and Democrat policy victories.
The Republican-controlled legislature is supposed to hold the power of the purse, but unfortunately that power was handed over to… https://t.co/AlGCns3HqA
— Arizona Freedom Caucus (@AZFreedomCaucus) June 20, 2025