Hobbs Sounds Alarm on Potential ‘Devastation’ for Arizonans Amid Trump’s Budget Cuts

Gov. Katie Hobbs issued a stern warning to Congress as Republicans debate a federal budget that threatens crucial funding for healthcare and food assistance. She stated that such cuts would be “devastating for Arizonans.”

Hobbs’s remarks came during the ceremonial signing of Arizona’s state budget on Tuesday. After intense negotiations between Republicans in the state legislature, she successfully secured bipartisan support to pass the budget, narrowly avoiding a potential government shutdown before the June 30 deadline.

Simultaneously, federal Republicans are engaged in contentious budget discussions, aiming to pass President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This proposal, if approved by the House of Representatives, could lead to approximately 12 million people losing Medicaid coverage and ultimately shift significant costs of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) onto states.

“This budget bill will be devastating for Arizonans,” Hobbs emphasized, pointing out that the cuts would primarily affect vulnerable populations, particularly in rural communities. The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association has warned that the proposed cuts could jeopardize the viability of some hospitals.

Hobbs expressed her hope that the budget bill never becomes law. Addressing concerns about potentially utilizing the state’s $1.5 billion “rainy day fund” to offset federal cuts, she described it as a “Band-Aid we don’t have.” Her comment was made during what she deemed a “celebration,” indicating her frustration with the inquiry.

While state lawmakers concluded their annual session with the budget’s passage, Hobbs hinted at the possibility of a special session to amend the budget in response to any federal funding reductions. “We’ll have to evaluate that when or if it happens,” she remarked.

Hobbs also shared insights into the arduous process leading to Arizona’s budget agreement, revealing that state House Republicans delayed negotiations by attempting to craft separate budgets aligning strictly with their priorities, both of which she ultimately vetoed. She noted that “three out of four caucuses helped on the budget,” while one faction chose to break away from collaborative efforts.

Proud of the final outcome, Hobbs stated, “We did everything we could” to secure bipartisan support from House Republicans during the budget negotiations.