Capitol roundup: Hobbs' veto threat looms
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The session took a contentious turn this week when Gov. Katie Hobbs threatened to veto bills until Republicans release a new budget plan.
🚫 On Tuesday, Hobbs followed through, vetoing legislation on statewide assessments for K-12 students, the repeal of mental health instruction in schools, and ballot language for school bonds.
- Yes, but: Those bills collectively received zero Democratic votes, so they probably would've gotten vetoed anyway.
Prior to her moratorium taking effect, Hobbs nixed 20 bills including legislation to:
🏫 Opt Arizona into the new federal school voucher-style, tax credit scholarship program.
🎒 Bar schools from permitting students in grades 6-8 from joining student clubs or organizations without a parent's written permission.
🛩️ Require license plates and state registration for "roadable aircraft," AKA flying cars.
Hobbs did sign a handful of bills before her veto streak began, including legislation to:
⚖️ Impose harsher sentencing for fentanyl dealing and for sexual extortion of teenagers.
🔫 Establish regulations for who has authority to modify weapon detection systems at district and charter schools.
📱 Authorize prosecutors to bring manslaughter charges against adults whose texts or online messages encourage minors to commit suicide if children take their own lives.
Meanwhile, lawmakers took action on legislation that still has additional steps before it reaches Hobbs.
🚦 Senate Republicans passed a bill to require traffic tickets from photo enforcement systems to bear the signature of the issuing municipality's mayor.
🗣️ The Senate approved a bill requiring schools that have world language requirements for graduation to include Native American languages.
🚨 The House passed an amended version of a Senate bill making it illegal to warn people of an "imminent or ongoing" threat of arrest by ICE.