Arizona House Democrats Exploit Disabled Children in Controversial Emotional Appeal

By Staff Reporter |

In a recent move, Arizona House Democrats invited families with disabled children to the state capitol to advocate for funding aimed at supporting developmental disabilities programs. The focus was on House Bill 2816, which seeks to allocate $122.3 million from state general funds and approximately $403 million in Medicaid expenditure authority for the Department of Economic Security (DES).

Assistant Minority Leader Nancy Gutierrez introduced the bill to secure funding as the DES faces a significant budget shortfall, threatening essential services for families in need.

During the session, State Rep. Nick Kupper highlighted that he and one other Republican lawmaker are the only members with children in wheelchairs. He expressed frustration over political tactics used by the Democrats, stating, “I will not be shamed by people with no skin in the game!”

Despite the urgency, HB2816 did not progress past its initial introduction. House Democrats attempted to expedite its review, criticizing Republicans for obstructing vital funding. A spokesperson for Arizona House Democrats claimed, “Republicans are blocking needed supplemental funds to keep the program going past May.”

House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos made a strong statement against the Republicans, asserting they had “killed the bill to fund lifesaving disability services for children with Down syndrome, autism, and other developmental disabilities.” His comments resonated with many who watched the debate unfold from the gallery.

On the Republican side, Majority Leader Michael Carbone placed blame on Governor Katie Hobbs for the impending shortfall, accusing her of mismanaging budgetary priorities without legislative consent. He stated that her policy changes had strained the system’s capabilities.

House Speaker Steve Montenegro echoed these sentiments, noting other areas of concern regarding budget management under Hobbs, specifically mentioning the risk of shutting down the Department of Child Safety’s Congregate Care program due to similar budgetary issues.

In response, Christian Slater, a spokesperson for Governor Hobbs, refuted claims of mismanagement, arguing that Republicans are misleading the public about the state budget. He asserted that the governor’s balanced budget proposal addresses multiple priorities, including raising pay for state troopers and addressing homelessness among veterans.

The ongoing political battle over funding for essential services continues to unfold, leaving many families anxiously awaiting a resolution. The stakes are high, as the welfare of vulnerable populations remains at the center of this significant legislative confrontation.