Republican House Whip Teams Up With Democrats and Governor Hobbs Against Emergency Disability Funding

By Staff Reporter |

The Arizona Republican House Whip has aligned with Democratic lawmakers and Governor Katie Hobbs in opposing the codification of an emergency funding bill aimed at disability services in the state. This has created a rift among lawmakers, particularly as most House and Senate Republicans back the removal of over $100 million from the Housing Trust Fund and Prescription Drug Rebate Fund to redirect to the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD).

Governor Hobbs has enforced a moratorium on all legislation until a new funding mechanism for DD is established, underscoring her appreciation for the bipartisan support that allows Democrats to negotiate effectively. She has publicly criticized Republican lawmakers, labeling their actions as “political theater.”

“It’s shameful that a few, extreme Republican legislators are holding funding for Arizonans with disabilities hostage to their political theater,” Hobbs stated. She emphasized the urgency to provide certainty for individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers.

Among the dissenting voices is House Majority Whip Julie Willoughby, who, along with Reps. Justin Olson and Jeff Weninger, cast “no” votes against House Bill 2945 in the House Appropriations Committee. Willoughby introduced an amendment that garnered Democratic support, aimed at alleviating legislative burdens for the Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System Administration.

This amendment sought to eliminate the requirement for legislative approval for waiver renewal requests, which Willoughby argued could tie up legislative resources unnecessarily. Moreover, it would revise regulations on caregiver hours and limit new federal funding reporting to specific agencies, fundamentally altering the original bill’s framework.

While Chair Steve Livingston acknowledged some positive aspects of Willoughby’s proposal, he suggested it might be better suited for a broader discussion in a Committee of the Whole. In her closing explanation for opposing the bill, Willoughby reiterated her commitment to advocating for the changes her amendment proposed and expressed deep remorse for the situation faced by disabled individuals.

“What hill do you die on? And I choose you as my hill to die on,” she remarked, emphasizing her pro-life stance across all stages of life, which informed her opposition to the bill.

Despite Willoughby’s efforts to foster a compromise, other Republican leaders criticized Hobbs for her management of the DD program, attributing the budget shortfall to reckless expansions without proper legislative oversight. House Speaker Steve Montenegro accused the Governor of using funding negotiations as leverage, framing it as a failure of leadership.

With a deadline approaching, the failure to approve emergency funding by month’s end could result in significant disruptions in care services for individuals with developmental disabilities across Arizona, leaving many caregivers without compensation.