PHOENIX — Arizona’s Democratic Governor has acknowledged the challenge posed by an increased Republican majority in the state Legislature this session, following the recent elections.
Despite this, the first-term governor is optimistic about finding bipartisan solutions to advance crucial policies that have been stalled in the past.
In a recent interview, she emphasized that while President Donald Trump won the battleground state, Arizona voters also chose a Democrat for the U.S. Senate, indicating a desire for collaborative efforts across party lines to address key challenges.
“The issues we’re facing — family affordability, water security, border safety, and community protection — transcend party affiliations,” she stated. “These are Arizona issues that demand cooperation among our leaders.”
With reelection on the horizon, the governor is set to present her priorities at the legislative session’s opening on Monday.
Key policy areas include:
Shortly after the November elections, the governor visited the Arizona-Mexico border, committing to tackle issues like fentanyl trafficking while recognizing concerns surrounding potential immigration policies.
The governor indicated that Arizona will prioritize law enforcement resources to remove violent offenders from communities, regardless of immigration status.
Following voter approval of a measure allowing local police to detain individuals suspected of illegal crossings, the specifics of further immigration restrictions from Republicans remain uncertain.
The governor plans to advocate for legislation to close regulatory gaps related to groundwater. Previous attempts to update the state’s water laws were unsuccessful, leading to executive action to address unregulated water extraction in certain areas.
The governor is hopeful for a legislative agreement on groundwater management, but has indicated she will act independently if necessary.
As Arizona confronts prolonged drought challenges, a sustainable plan for managing its water supply from the Colorado River must be developed by the end of 2026.
Reform of Arizona’s school voucher program also remains a priority for the governor.
Initiated in 2011 for students with disabilities and expanded to all students in 2022, the program allows parents to use public funds for private school expenses.
The Democratic leadership has criticized the program for straining state finances, while Republican lawmakers have supported its expansion as part of a broader school choice initiative. The previous budget included only modest cuts to the program’s funding.
Unlike last year, the state now faces a more favorable budget outlook, with projected revenues increasing by $231 million for the upcoming fiscal year, according to legislative estimates.
