Government

Hobbs, Arizona legislators angle for priorities as 2026 session opens

FILE - Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs delivers her State of the State address at the state Capitol, Jan. 8, 2024, in Phoenix. The Legislature and Hobbs have many initiatives they want to get through during the 2026 session. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Ross D. Franklin

PHOENIX — State lawmakers launch their 2026 session Monday with a lot of money issues on their plate:

How much to spend to maintain or expand existing programs;
What can be done to make housing more affordable;
How much of a tax break to give Arizonans.

That last issue could be the first one tackled — and result in the first veto of the year for Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs — as GOP lawmakers play a bit of chicken with the state’s chief executive.

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