Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on Friday found fault with 23 proposals that reached her desk, bringing her veto tally during the ongoing legislative session to 75.
That is two more than she issued during the entire 2024 session.
Among her vetoes, Hobbs objected to legislation crafted by Sen. Mark Finchem putting new restrictions on unemployment benefits.
These are payments that are available to those who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, including layoffs. The cost is borne by a premium on employers, with the rates paid by each linked to how often they release employees.
The proposal by the Prescott Republican would have tightened some requirements for recipients to seek employment. But it also would have barred the Department of Economic Security from paying benefits until they had checked a series of state and federal databases, something that would have to occur weekly.
"This legislation creates unnecessary delays for workers, burdens for employers and costs for the state,'' Hobbs wrote.
The governor also nixed legislation that would make voter registration rolls available on the internet.
Proponents said that would enable any individual to have access and report inaccuracies. But Hobbs said it "poses risks that the information will be misused or used for commercial purposes.''
And the governor also vetoed legislation that would make the "cast vote record'' - essentially a digital representation of every vote cast - a public record. Hobbs said she believes it would put voter privacy at risk.
Hobbs also rejected two measures to make changes in groundwater regulation, saying she is trying to work with lawmakers to come up with a comprehensive plan
"I am disappointed that neither of these bills would move toward solving the water policy challenges that Arizona residents and communities are facing today,'' the governor said. "To see more effort misspent on a pointless bill that would only weaken groundwater protections is a continued affront to rural Arizonans who have asked their legislature for years to address rural groundwater challenges.''
Other bills vetoed Friday by the governor include:
- Allowing the state treasurer and public retirement funds to invest up to 10% of their holdings in "virtual currency'' like Bitcoin. "Arizonans' retirement funds are not the place for the state try untested investments like virtual currency,'' the governor said.
- Prohibiting state agencies, boards, commissions and departments from using any programs on DEI - diversity, equity and inclusion - in the hiring, training and promotion of employees. Hobbs dismissed the legislation as "Detrimental, Ineffective, Nonsensical and Objectionable.''
- Requiring school districts to prepare budgets for three years. "It would do nothing to improve the budgeting process for school districts,'' the governor said.
- Eliminating the ability of transgender people to get an amended birth certificate. "I encourage the Legislature to focus on real issues that matter and impact people's everyday lives,'' she wrote.
- Mandating a minimum award of $2,500 for each violation of the Parents' Bill of Rights.
On X, Bluesky and Threads: @azcapmedia
Howard Fischer
@azcapmedia
Mr. Fischer, a longtime award-winning Arizona journalist, is founder and operator of Capitol Media Services.
By 
