Legislative Update from Representative Joseph Chaplik

WHAT: Status of Budget.

The legislator passed the Budget, but Budget was vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs.

• The budget is $15.1 billion with $1.8 billion surplus to use on high priority needs of the state ($17 total revenue).
• The budget Katie Hobbs vetoed is the same budget Democrats voted for last year. It is a good budget that funds the needs of Arizona citizens, but does not fund Democrat priorities like college for illegal immigrants. Joseph Chaplik and 9 other Republicans voted against this budget last year, but are now supporting it as it is $1.7 billion less than the budget Hobbs requested.
• Where do we go from here? Slightly adjust the budget to include additional funding for Arizona priorities like education, public safety, and transportation/roads, but Katie Hobbs is willing to shut the government down if her priorities are not included.
• Republicans need to unite and refuse to support any Democrat sponsored or co-sponsored bills until Democrats can get onboard with a budget that supports Arizona priorities.
• For more details, listen to this podcast with Garret Lewis: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/82-garret-lewis-28403290/episode/the-morning-ritual-with-garret-lewis–109107518/

WHY:  Budget deadline is June 30, 2023.

WHEN: find out when budget bills will be heard – we’ll try post that.

CALL TO ACTION: Contact the members of the Legislature.   Ask them to get onboard with a budget that supports Arizona priorities..

HOW/WHERE: Contact the members of the Legislature.   Ask them to get onboard with a budget that supports Arizona priorities.  Telephone, mail, or text with your position.

1. If you have an RTS account at gov, please “sign in” formally register position on budget bills us     https://apps.azleg.gov/RequestToSpeak/Agenda/15888
2. sign up to testify at the hearing in person at the Capitol

WHO: Committee Members:  Chairman, Vice-Chairman, members