Arizona GOP Lawmakers Hold Secret Strategy Session After Budget Turmoil

On Friday, following an unexpected adjournment, Republicans in the Arizona House of Representatives convened privately for nearly three hours to strategize on finalizing the state budget. This session came after a planned vote dissipated, leaving lawmakers scrambling for a path forward.

The House had previously approved its budget on June 13 and was anticipated to vote on a version proposed by the Senate, which had undergone negotiations with Gov. Katie Hobbs. Amendments were agreed upon to garner support from House members, but backlash from conservative Republicans—particularly the Arizona Freedom Caucus—derailed the bipartisan effort late Thursday. A frustrated Senate passed the budget bills and voted to end the session around 2 a.m. Friday.

As House Republicans held their caucus meeting, reporters were met with silence on the specifics discussed. Rep. John Gillette, R-Kingman, commented on the meeting’s positivity, while Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, noted the media’s presence, emphasizing the closed nature of their discussions. Gress, who played a significant role in crafting the House budget now deemed “dead on arrival” by Hobbs, is preparing for his upcoming wedding in Italy, adding to the urgency of the negotiations.

Rep. Walt Blackman, R-Snowflake, later revealed that the meeting was focused on scrutinizing the Senate’s budget proposal line by line. He expressed optimism that a resolution could emerge by Tuesday, with plans to advance the Senate’s budget bills through the Appropriations Committee early next week.

However, the Senate’s receptiveness to potential amendments remains uncertain. Senate President Pro Tem T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, voiced frustration over the House’s abrupt adjournment but emphasized the importance of sticking to the agreement made with the Governor on a workable budget.

Dissatisfaction among some House Republicans was evident, particularly regarding accusations that the Senate’s budget was partisan. House Appropriations Chair David Livingston labeled it “a Democrat budget,” while Rep. Rachel Keshel, R-Tucson, criticized those seeking consensus as attempting a “coup” over budget negotiations.

Blackman dismissed these concerns, stating his primary focus is the passage of a solid budget. On the other hand, Shope expressed hope that the House would reconsider the Senate-approved budget to avoid wasting bipartisan efforts. He stressed the necessity of achieving the most conservative budget possible.

Despite some differences, such as increased Medicaid and K-12 funding in the Senate proposal, many similarities exist between the House’s and Senate’s budgets. House Democratic Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos remarked on the chaos and dysfunction displayed by House Republicans, suggesting it hindered timely passage of the negotiated budget.

The House aims to reconvene Monday afternoon, with a deadline to finalize the budget by the end of the month.