By Howard Fischer
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PHOENIX – Gov. Katie Hobbs delivered a split decision Friday to a pair of Phoenix Republicans over legislation dealing with applicants for positions in state agencies.

In her 38^th veto of the year, the Democratic governor said that while there was nothing wrong with the goal of Sen. Steve Kaiser’s bill, the mechanism it set up was complex and cumbersome.

The measure would have barred state agencies from rejecting applicants because they do not have college degrees.

Strictly speaking, SB 1166 would not have eliminated all degree requirements. But it put the burden on state agencies to justify them for each job.

Public employers could still have mandated a degree if they “clearly demonstrate” that a job requires one.

And in that case, each job description would have to explain not only the necessity for that degree but “explain why a postsecondary degree is the best measure to determine if an applicant possesses the specific skills necessary” or that there is a requirement for advanced accreditation or licensure available only to those with specific degrees.

Kaiser’s bill was was pushed by Cicero Action which describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that advocates for government policy reforms.

Lobbyist Jim Norton told lawmakers that the legislation comes with the intersection of two issues.

One, he said, is that the job market is tight in Arizona, meaning employers - including the government - are having a hard time filling certain positions.

The other is that 31% of adults in Arizona 25 or older have a college degree, meaning 69% of Arizonans are automatically disqualified from applying for jobs when a degree is a requirement.

“These are people that may have relevant work experience,”Norton said.

“And yet the state policy is, if you check this box, you're in, if you don't, you're out,” he said. “We can't allow that to happen.”

The plea struck a bipartisan accord.

SB 1166 was approved unanimously by the state House. And two Democrats joined with Republican senators to support the concept.

Hobbs said she understands the goals.

“Ensuring that employment with the state of Arizona is available to as many talented individuals as possible is of great importance to me,” she wrote in her veto message.

“The state's employees provide invaluable support to all Arizonans and it is my belief that we should ensure that all those who want to enter public service should have the opportunity to do so.”

What Hobbs did do Friday is sign a similar - and less complex - proposal she said can achieve the goals of SB 1166 “in a less burdensome manner.”

That is HB 2225.

Sponsored by Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, it requires the Department of Administration, the state agency involved in most personnel matters, to evaluate all state employee positions which have degree requirements that are suitable to be filled by those who are “skilled through alternative routes.”

That is defined as someone who has developed skills through job training, community college, military service or apprenticeship and who has a high school diploma or equivalent and is active in the workforce.

The legislation requires a report by Oct. 1. But there is no mandate to reclassify any job nor a process for those who lack degrees for one where it remains listed as a requirement to appeal.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.