29-01-2025
As governor, I'm not just talking about Arizona's problems. I'm fixing them
In my State of the State address and executive budget, I shared my vision for an Arizona that is laser-focused on delivering security, opportunity and freedom for our state.
That vision is the Arizona Promise — the one Arizonans elected me to deliver.
The Arizona Promise means families feel safe in their communities and our border is secure, that Arizonans have the opportunity to get ahead without working two or three jobs, that we have the freedom to live our lives as we see fit without government interference.
It's what Arizona, at its best, has always stood for, but for too long politicians have let it slip away. I have taken definitive, measurable action to restore the Arizona Promise.
So, it was disappointing to read a recent Arizona Republic editorial that did not acknowledge its own paper's reporting on the work my administration has done to secure our water future, protect Arizona from wildfires and create good-paying jobs by securing historic semiconductor industry investments.
On top of that, my executive budget takes common sense steps to grow on our success by cutting costs for working families and investing in public safety.
And I'm not just speaking loudly about these critical issues — contrary to what the editorial board suggested — I'm taking decisive action.
I have used my 'bully pulpit' to protect groundwater and fight for our fair share of the Colorado River.
In fact, after I traveled to the Willcox basin, witnessed family farms going dry and saw houses cracking in half due to overpumping, I took action without hesitation. I enacted the first governor-led Active Management Area in the Willcox basin to protect our water.
When foreign corporations were pumping a rural county dry, I again took action to protect Arizona families and farmers. I ended Fondomonte leases in the Butler Valley. I did this without hesitation, before the editorial board made this recommendation.
I'm proud to say I've done more to protect our groundwater than any governor in the last four decades, since Bruce Babbitt passed the historic Groundwater Management Act.
I'm also fighting to protect our Colorado River water.
As reported many times by this very news organization, I've already secured a deal on the Colorado River to protect Arizonans through 2026 from federally mandated, draconian cuts. Thanks to my leadership, no Arizonan will be forced to cut their water use.
And while we work toward a long-term Colorado River compromise, my executive budget sends a clear message that Arizona is ready to fight for our fair share, with a $3 million litigation fund.
The Arizona Promise also means we stand ready to fight wildfires.
I've already secured $29 million to build wildfire resiliency. And my proposed budget includes another $30 million to bolster our Wildfire Suppression Fund.
Most importantly, it includes a 15% raise for our state firefighters, who work tirelessly to prevent disaster and remain willing to run toward danger.
Opinion: Hobbs' budget is out of touch
The editorial board also suggested I help put our state in a position to recognize and maximize opportunities from the CHIPS Act. I couldn't agree more.
In fact, as reported in The Arizona Republic, my administration helped secure $3 billion in federal funding for Arizona's first national laboratory, a facility that is certain to help attract billions of dollars in further business investment and create thousands more good-paying jobs for Arizona workers.
All of this is in addition to my commitment to secure the southern border.
I deployed the Arizona National Guard and stood up Task Force SAFE, which has stopped 8 million fentanyl pills from coming across the border and poisoning our communities, in addition to more than 2,000 pounds of cocaine, meth and other drugs.
When I travel the state, Arizonans talk about the cost of housing, child care and food. They worry about water, fires and immigration.
My plan lowers the cost of child care by two-thirds and lowers the cost of housing by cutting red tape and helping working-class people buy their first home.
My budget provides even more resources to secure the border and stop the flow of drugs. It offers pay raises for state police and firefighters because they need to be paid what they're worth.
I also set out an ambitious plan to end veterans' homelessness with a down payment into the Homes for Heroes fund to support the men and women who have given so much to our country.
I've heard from the people of Arizona, and I'm committed to standing with them. I know these aren't Republican issues or Democratic issues — they're Arizona issues — and it's why I've taken them on.
While there remains much to do, I'm delivering. Like the editorial board wisely suggested.
Katie Hobbs is governor of Arizona. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @GovernorHobbs.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Katie Hobbs is taking strong action on water, fires, border | Opinion
