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The proposed Arizona budget, crafted after months of negotiations between Republican leadership and Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, faces an uphill battle as members of both parties voice concerns about sweeping cuts aimed at addressing the state’s budget deficit.
Lawmakers must approve a state budget before the end of the 2024 fiscal year, which ends June 30, or the state will face possible shutdowns of critical government functions. Additionally, state leaders must figure out a way to fix a $1.3 billion deficit over the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, which prompted Hobbs to announce earlier this year that state agencies would need to propose possible budget cuts .
The proposed budget , released June 12, shows that lawmakers are planning to cut costs by approximately 3.45% at nearly every state agency and are asking others to send more money to the state’s general fund. State regulatory boards, which currently give 10% of the licensing fees they collect to the state, are now being asked to send 15%.