The Round Up: Skating on Thin Ice
Hobbs announces budget reductions for government agencies, UArizona navigates a budget deficit, and Arizona lawmakers oppose foreign aid package.
Good morning, and thanks for opening this week’s Round Up. If you haven’t already, subscribe to our newsletter here so that you can receive all of our context directly in your inbox.
If you’ve been enjoying our work so far, please consider donating—your donation is tax-deductible, and all of our revenue goes toward building the future of local journalism in Arizona and the broader Southwest.
As always, please reach out if you’re interested in publishing a column or think there’s a story that deserves covering. We’ll see you around soon.
— The 1912 Team
In this week’s Round Up: Over the last month, both abortion and the status of the Arizona Coyotes have served as two of the biggest stories in the state. While the Coyotes have officially moved north to Utah, the potential for an NHL replacement expansion team by 2029 makes it likely that hockey will remain a main area of focus for local leaders for some time. Similarly, abortion is likely to remain a highly prevalent issue as policymakers are working to find solutions following the state Supreme Court’s recent ruling.
At the federal level, Arizona Republican lawmakers — notably Representatives Gosar, Biggs, and Crane — have disagreed with continuing to fund allies such as Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Citing concerns over both the southern border and government finances, the Arizona lawmakers have been vocal in opposing the policies of the Biden Administration, as well as Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. Signaling his displeasure with Johnson, Representative Gosar recently went so far as to join a resolution that would remove the Speaker from office. While the resolution will likely go nowhere, it symbolizes an existing — and perhaps even growing — rift in the Republican party regarding the role of the U.S. in global affairs.
Arizona Lawmakers Oppose Foreign Aid Package
In response to ongoing wars involving American allies Ukraine and Israel, the U.S. House of Representatives voted last week on a $95 billion foreign aid package. In addition to providing assistance to Taiwan, the aid package — which was advanced with the support of 165 Democrats and 151 Republicans — provides over $60 billion for Ukraine and $26 billion for Israel. The Senate will most likely vote on the aid package this week.
The aid package includes separate bills for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific — a deliberate move to gain votes on individual packages from the hard-line Republicans in the House with concerns about funding Ukraine. Even still, Arizona Republicans Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, and Eli Crane voted to oppose each measure. Also, Gosar later joined fellow House Republicans Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie in supporting a motion to vacate the office of the Speaker of the House. The lawmakers’ House Resolution 1103 comes amid increasing levels of dissatisfaction with Speaker Mike Johnson among House conservatives, primarily due to his handling of foreign aid and border policy.
What Arizona House Republicans are saying:
Representative Paul Gosar: “Congress cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the consequence of Biden’s disastrous open border policies, nor can it idly wait for Biden to halt this invasion through executive fiat. Congress has the responsibility to solve this crisis. Yet rather than spending the resources to secure our southern border and combating the invasion of 11 million illegals and despite repeated promises there would be no additional money going to Ukraine without first securing our border, the United States House of Representatives, under the direction of the Speaker, is on the verge of sending another $61 billion to further draw America into an endless and purposeless war in Ukraine. I have added my name in support of the motion to vacate the Speaker. Our border cannot be an afterthought. We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away.”
Representative Eli Crane: “My constituents sent me to D.C. to do everything in my power to stand up to the status quo. As such, I won’t rubber stamp roughly $100 billion more in deficit spending to secure the borders of foreign nations while the swamp refuses to secure our own. It doesn’t get any more America last.”
Representative Andy Biggs: “In order to get to the Ukraine funding, our speaker has leveraged funding for Israel. And in order to get his Israel package so the Democrats would vote for it, he’s actually giving money to the terrorists who are attacking Israel. …In order to get any of this through, we’re going to provide money to terrorists. That’s what a yes vote is. I don’t know how I can do that, not when we’re borrowing money to give that to the terrorists.”
Lawmakers Consider Abortion Measures
Last week, Arizona House Republicans blocked a potential repeal of the state’s 1864 abortion law. In four votes on procedural motions, the House tied 30-30 and thus prevented a potential repeal bill from reaching the chamber floor. All Republicans in the House — except for Representative Matt Gress — opposed a vote on HB 2677. Last week, a repeal advanced in the Senate with Republican Senators T.J. Shope and Shawnna Bolick joining Democrats. A vote on that legislation will likely occur in the Senate in the coming weeks.
In a letter sent last week to Arizona health care leaders, Attorney General Kris Mayes clarified that the state’s “territorial-era ban on abortion” reinstated by the Supreme Court “could become enforceable” no earlier than June 8, 2024. Mayes further emphasized that her “office continues to explore all legal options available to prevent the 1864 near-total abortion ban from taking effect.” Joining Mayes, Governor Katie Hobbs signaled her displeasure with Republican lawmakers in a statement.
What Arizona lawmakers are saying:
Governor Katie Hobbs: “Republican extremists in the House have yet again failed to do the right thing. In just one week living under this new reality, women, doctors, and healthcare providers have already begun to feel the devastating effects of living under a total abortion ban. We cannot go on like this. I will continue to call on the Legislature to do its job and repeal this law. In the meantime, I remain committed to protecting the freedoms of every single Arizonan, and I am working to make sure women are able to access the care they need. A law from 1864 written by 27 men cannot be allowed to govern the lives of millions of Arizona women. It’s time to put politics aside and do the right thing.”
Attorney General Kris Mayes: “Once again, the Legislature has failed to repeal the outrageous 1864 near-total abortion ban. It is abundantly clear that the majority party wants this 160-year-old law to take effect. Complicated or complex decision making is not required to repeal this insane law that doesn’t even include exceptions for rape or incest. Shame on the Republicans for risking the health and lives of women in this state and for criminalizing doctors and nurses for caring for their patients. My office is actively working on our strategy to fight back against this abhorrent law. We will have more to say in the coming days and weeks.”
NHL Confirms Plans for Future Arizona Hockey Team
Soon after the Arizona Coyotes were officially relocated to Salt Lake City, former owner Alex Meruelo was joined at a press conference by National Hockey League (NHL) Commissioner Gary Bettman. Facing questions regarding the Coyotes’ pending move to Utah, Meruelo and Bettman reiterated plans for an expansion team in the desert by 2029. According to reports, the NHL has given Meruelo five years to construct a state-of-the-art arena in metro Phoenix. While Tempe voters rejected ballot propositions paving the way for a new arena last year, Meruelo’s attention has now turned to a piece of land located at Loop 101 west of Scottsdale Road. This 100-acre plot of land in northeast Phoenix is set to be sold at a June 27 public auction, with the initial bid price starting at $68.5 million.
What hockey insiders are saying:
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman: “The NHL’s belief in Arizona has never wavered. We thank Alex Meruelo for his commitment to the franchise and Arizona, and we fully support his ongoing efforts to secure a new home in the desert for the Coyotes. We also want to acknowledge the loyal hockey fans of Arizona, who have supported their team with dedication for nearly three decades while growing the game.”
Former Coyotes Owner Alex Meruelo: “Moving from Glendale to Tempe was the right decision. Our revenues far exceed what we ever did in Glendale. . . . Given the right location and the new arena I believe [the] Arizona Coyotes could be top ten in team generating revenues. . . . My goal will be to build a first-class sports entertainment district without seeking financial support from the public — no taxpayer dollars, no tax breaks — but I do need the support from the community and its leaders with the processing of the development.”
UArizona Projects Reduced Budget Deficit
Last Thursday, University of Arizona President Robert Robbins announced his outlook for the school’s FY 2025 operating budget. In a statement released shortly ahead of the Arizona Board of Regents’ (ABOR) April meeting, President Robbins relayed a University projection that next year’s budget deficit will see a near $110 million reduction. Robbins called this “preliminary” deficit reduction from $162 million to $52 million “encouraging news” following months of uncertainty regarding the University’s expenses. In his statement, Robbins noted that the “largest portion” of budget savings will be possible due to “reductions in administrative expenses.” The announced deficit reductions come as part of the University’s financial action plan, which was released in response to a $177 million budget shortfall. ABOR will “continue to refine” the FY 2025 budget framework over the summer.
UArizona President Robert Robbins: “This anticipated improvement of $110 million in the University’s deficit is preliminary, but marks considerable progress in the implementation of our financial action plan. This is the result of concerted efforts by deans and leaders across the University who worked diligently on their budget plans to address spending trends and to significantly reduce the deficit. . . . As a result of our budget decisions, the University will be in a position to allocate sufficient funds to ensure no college starts FY 2025 in a budget deficit. . . . We remain committed to achieving strong financial health and ensuring the ongoing success of our teaching, research and outreach mission. There is still budget work to do, but we are grateful for everyone’s hard work and the progress to date.”
Other Relevant Headlines
Violations occurred in Arizona State football program (April 19, 2024) — “Arizona State and four individuals who previously worked for the school’s football program have reached an agreement with the NCAA enforcement staff on recruiting violations that occurred within the program and the appropriate penalties for those violations. A Committee on Infractions panel has approved the agreement. Two individuals are contesting portions of their respective cases via written record hearing. After the written record hearing, the committee will release its full decision. The agreed-upon violations included impermissible in-person recruiting contacts during the COVID-19 dead period, recruiting inducements, impermissible tryouts and tampering.”
Governor’s Office calls on government agencies to implement hiring freeze, budget reductions (April 22, 2024) — “To help with the budget shortfall, some Arizona government agencies will not hire new employees and will have to cut back on spending by at least 4%. In a letter to state agencies on Friday, Ben Henderson, the Governor’s Office’s director of operations, said all executive agencies, boards and commissions cannot hire new workers starting on Saturday. The hiring freeze will also apply to contractors. . . . Henderson added that if a state agency, board or commission wants to increase the number of employees, the Governor’s Office will have to approve it.”
Supreme Court denies request by Arizona candidates seeking to ban electronic vote tabulators (April 22, 2024) — “The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to consider a request by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake to ban the use of electronic vote-counting machines in Arizona. Lake and former Republican secretary of state candidate Mark Finchem filed suit two years ago, repeating unfounded allegations about the security of machines that count votes. . . . U.S. District Judge John Tuchi in Phoenix ruled that Lake and Finchem lacked standing to sue because they failed to show any realistic likelihood of harm.”
Some of Our Recent Headlines
Opinion: Arizona is a Test Case for the Post-Roe GOP (Apr. 12, 2024) — “As it stands, the return of abortion policy to the states is pushing many Republican elected officials away from standard pro-life positions. For them, the logic is simple: Most Arizonans oppose a ban from conception onward, and we need to retain political power to have any effect on policy. At the same time, their more stalwart counterparts argue that ceding ground to the pro-choice lobby will forever make life a losing issue. Perhaps they both have a point.”
Opinion: Arizona’s Semiconductor Boom is Decades in the Making (Mar. 22, 2024) — While domestic manufacturers cannot hope to compete with lower cost of labor in nations like Taiwan, Joe Pitts argues, we can use public policy to lower barriers to project construction and completion. Enabling developers to keep up with housing demand through zoning reform, detaching federal subsidies from onerous and ideologically charged labor requirements, and speeding up the permitting process are a few great places to start.
The Round Up: All Eyes on Arizona (Apr. 17, 2024) — “The State of Arizona has entered the national spotlight as it faces high levels of uncertainty regarding the future of its abortion policy, and now its hockey team. As it becomes more likely that the Arizona Coyotes will move north to Utah, the state is simultaneously encountering an intense debate following a recent state Supreme Court decision on abortion.”
Opinion: ASU SCETL Deserves Continued Funding (Feb. 22, 2024) — As lawmakers at the State Capitol struggle to balance the budget in the face of a looming shortfall, Henry Olsen argues that they should nonetheless prioritize funding for Arizona State University’s School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership.
This round-up was written by Jared (JJ) Cichoke. He currently works as a Policy Analyst after previously holding various roles with Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, he recently moved to Arizona after spending nearly his entire life in Portland, Oregon.