Legislature passes state budget for 2024, awaits Hobbs’ signature

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5/AP) -- After a very early morning session from the Arizona Senate on Wednesday, the House passed Arizona’s $18 billion budget with both sides claiming victories. Just after midnight, senators started passing the bills with bipartisan support. After completion, the House took the bills and started voting just after 1:30 p.m. The measures passed and are headed to Gov. Katie Hobbs’ desk for her signature. She plans to sign it. “Not everybody got what they wanted, but I’m thankful legislative leaders were able to set aside their differences, compromise, and support a bipartisan deal that makes historic investments in affordable housing, builds roads, bridges, and public transit, expands access to health insurance for Arizona’s children and creates critical new ESA accountability measures,” Hobbs said in a statement.
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Both political parties have touted wins in the budget compromise. For the Democrats, Hobbs highlighted $650 million in infrastructure, $300 million one-time payment for K-12 schools, $342 million for school facilities and $88.6 million in new ongoing K-12 funding. Rep. Andres Cano, the Democratic leader in the House, praised items in the budget like an ESA House Oversight Committee, $60 million in new cash for homeless shelters and $5 million for expanding KidsCare.

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