By Howard Fischer
Mail | X: @azcapmedia

Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a bid by House Speaker Ben Toma to require that any American government course needed for high school graduation include at least 45 minutes of instruction about the history of communist regimes around the world.

The Peoria lawmaker’s HB 2629 included a suggested list ranging from Joseph Stalin and the Soviet system and Mao Zedong and the cultural revolution in China to Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolution up to Nicholas Maduro, the current president of Venezuela and the Chavismo moment named after former president Hugh Chavez.

Hobbs said she appreciates the efforts to ensure students understand the negative impact of communist and authoritarian regimes have had, "especially at a time when we see many politicians in our own country warming up to dangerous leaders such as Vladimir Putin.''

That is a reference to comments that former President Trump has made over the years seeming to praise the Russian president and even the fact that Trump, unhappy with NATO, publicly said he would encourage Russia to do "whatever the hell they want'' to any member that doesn't meet spending guidelines.

But the governor said what was in Toma's bill was "too prescriptive'' in dictating educational requirements.

What would be more appropriate, she said, is something like a 2022 measure by Rep. Quang Nguyen, R-Prescott Valley, which requires the Arizona Board of Education to include a comprehensive discussion of political ideologies, like communism and totalitarianism, that conflict with principles of freedom and democracy.

Hobbs did agree to act on her own to advance one provision of the vetoed bill: She will proclaim this Nov. 7 as Victims of Communism Day.