Hobbs Prioritizes Affordability and Bipartisanship in Powerful Third State of the State Address

In her annual State of the State address, Governor Katie Hobbs unveiled a vision for what she calls “the Arizona Promise,” emphasizing affordable housing, childcare, border security, reproductive rights, and water conservation as her key priorities for the 2025 legislative session.

As Hobbs navigates her term amid an election cycle, she faces a strengthened Republican majority, which gained more seats in the November elections. This dynamic adds pressure to her agenda as she attempts to collaborate with lawmakers across the aisle.

“The Arizona promise means everyday people can find opportunity, security, and freedom,” Hobbs stated, expressing concern that current living costs and attacks on personal freedoms are undermining this ideal.

The governor criticized political distractions, saying, “For too long, politicians have been focused on the wrong things – chasing headlines and preparing for their next election rather than standing up for the people we represent.”

Hobbs committed to working with Republicans on bipartisan solutions to border issues and groundwater conservation. However, she warned that she would act independently if legislative progress continues to stall.

Among her proposals, the Working Families Child Care Act aims to reduce childcare costs by two-thirds. Additionally, she plans to establish the Homes for Heroes Fund and extend the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to support veterans and low-income families.

Hobbs also announced plans to increase pay for law enforcement and firefighters through her executive budget. However, she did not address funding requests from border law enforcement agencies seeking financial support to uphold Proposition 314.

Despite the passage of an abortion rights measure in the 2024 election, the governor called for further protections, advocating for laws supporting contraception and fertility treatments while aiming to repeal the state’s abortion reporting law.

For the third consecutive year, Hobbs urged reforms to the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program and emphasized the need for a compromise on Proposition 123, which funds education and is set to expire at the end of 2025.

Recognizing that her goals will require bipartisan support, Hobbs encouraged legislators to prioritize collaboration during the session, saying, “No obstacle is too great and no divide is too wide to overcome.”

Attending the speech were statewide officials, judges, university presidents, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Karrin Taylor Robson, who is expected to challenge Hobbs in the next election cycle.

The reception for Hobbs’ address was muted, with polite applause from Democrats but mixed reactions from Republicans, who notably supported Hobbs when she recognized law enforcement yet disapproved of her stance on the ESA program.

House Speaker Steve Montenegro described the speech as “out of touch,” arguing that the governor’s prior attempts to communicate this vision had not resonated with voters, leading to increased Republican majorities.

In contrast, House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos expressed support for Hobbs’ priorities, particularly the child care initiative, describing it as a potential “gamechanger” for working families.

While expecting ongoing resistance from Republicans regarding ESA reforms, De Los Santos declared his commitment to push forward, highlighting the need for accountability in education funding.

In a response video, Senate leaders criticized Hobbs for her proposals, claiming they undermine freedom and warning against interference in border security efforts. They pledged to uphold legislation that supports both growth and water conservation in Arizona.

Hobbs is set to introduce her executive budget on Friday, which will outline her legislative agenda and budgetary priorities in detail.