Calling it a “time bomb,” Gov. Katie Hobbs told lawmakers on Monday that the total spending limit for education needs to be overwritten — and soon.

The new governor has revamped the formula for extra aid to education with plans for a “historic investment in schools.” Hobbes also said he had only one in 700 young people in Arizona on average, and told lawmakers he needed more money for his counselors at the school.

“This is the highest rate in the nation, almost three times the recommended norm,” she said.

But Hobbs said it wouldn’t matter until lawmakers fulfilled last year’s promise to make sure they could use the money they already had.

In his first state address, Hobbes called for a $50 million annual child tax credit for families earning less than $40,000 a year, “to cover the rising cost of basic necessities for their children.” asked the MP.

She also wants to exempt diapers and feminine hygiene products from state sales taxes.

“These groceries add up and we can offer this relief to individuals and families who often have to choose between paying their bills and paying for what they need to be healthy. We will and we should,” the governor said.

Hear Ben Giles recap his speech with host Lauren Gilger on The Show

And, not surprisingly, the governor said he would reject new restrictions on abortion, saying more than 90% of Arizonas believe the procedure should be legal.

“Now is the time for all of us to listen to the message of the people of this state and meet in this moment so we can always make our own healthcare decisions,” she said. I will exercise all authority of the Governor to stop any law or action that attacks, deprives, or delays an individual’s liberty or inherent right to decide what is best for himself or his family.”

It elicited a decidedly negative response from several Republican lawmakers who stood up and walked away.

Hobbes called it an “inexperienced stunt”.

However, the governor told reporters after her speech that she did not believe the reaction would affect her ability to tackle the issue bipartisanly.

“I’m still optimistic that we can find common ground on the issues we’ve talked about.” is needed.”

Nor did he apologize for bringing up the topic by citing the 90% figure.

“So it’s not an area that’s marginalized,” Hobbes said. “In fact, any legislator who does not support access to safe and legal abortion is a fringe legislator.”

Senator TJ Shape (R-Coolidge) criticized the move by his colleagues.

“The protocol dictates that there are certain things you must do,” he said.

Hear House Speaker Ben Thoma’s reaction with host Mark Brody on the show

But House Speaker Ben Thoma, R-Peoria, was less critical of his fellow Republicans turning against Hobbes and subsequently leaving the House.

“Anytime there’s a speech that sounds like a DNC speech describing the state of the state, you’re going to have that problem,” he said.

But not a single Democrat attended the speech of Hobbes’ predecessor, Doug Ducey.

Abortions aside, much of her speech was devoted to a 1980 constitutional amendment that would limit education funding, especially funding adjusted annually for inflation and student growth.

What happened last year was that lawmakers finally reinstated the cuts they had made to balance the state budget. At the same time, COVID has reduced the number of students attending schools, all of which have exceeded their allocated funds.

Hobbes said as part of last year’s budget negotiations, a promise was made to convene a special session to exercise powers to waive the cap by the end of 2022.

“That promise was not kept,” said the governor. If no action is taken by March 1, schools will have to cut an average of 17% of their budgets for the entire fiscal year, totaling more than $1.3 billion.

“Superintendents and education leaders are warning that this could lead to furloughs, layoffs and even school closures,” Hobbes told lawmakers.

“There’s no need to let these hysterics continue,” she said. “Give students, teachers and parents assurance that schools will remain open.”

There is one more. There is no cost to enact an override. Because the school already has money. And Hobbes shouted out to R-Globe Rep. David Cook, who has already put forward a resolution to “overturn this outdated restriction.”

“This Congress should bring that to the floor,” the governor said. “Democrats in both houses are ready to act immediately on this.”

There seems to be some GOP support.

“Frankly, a lot of people feel they should have won,” Schop said. “We voted for a budget that would help us reach this cap.”

Even Thomas said he supported raising the cap. But in the last session of the Republican-dominated Congress ratified by his predecessor, Ducey, he introduced a system of universal vouchers that would allow any student to attend a private school or parish using taxpayer money. He said he was not happy with Hobbes’ blow to the decision to create a school.

The governor said the plan “has no accountability and is likely to bankrupt the state” and will cost the state $1.5 billion over the next 10 years.

Hobbes didn’t ask lawmakers to repeal the law, which is unlikely given the Republicans are in control. He promised to announce a budget that truly invests.

The governor also called on lawmakers to revamp a program designed to reward high performing schools, which he said was not working.

“This approach has only greatly benefited schools in affluent areas of Arizona’s two largest counties, Maricopa and Pima, leaving rural and economically struggling areas behind,” she said. said. Hobbs wants to change her $68.6 million from the program to be distributed equally to all schools.

Also on her agenda is the formation of an Educator Retention Task Force.

“One in four teachers quit school in Arizona each year, the highest rate in the nation,” she said. And that highlights the real problem, Hobbs said.

“The reality is there’s no shortage of educators,” she said, but there’s a retention problem.

“Too many great professionals have left careers they love because of uncompetitive salaries, onerous policies, and underfunded mandates chosen by this state to rob educators of the joy of education,” Hobbes said. “Teachers are creating the workforce and leaders of tomorrow, and it’s time to start treating them with the respect they deserve.”

On the issue of border policy, the new governor said immigration has been politicized for too long.

“Arizona voters said last November they didn’t want or need a political stunt designed solely to generate sensational television coverage and social media posts.” Hobbes said. , invited Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorcas to visit the border to meet with community leaders, law enforcement officials and business executives from affected communities to develop “effective and humane measures to address this long-standing challenge. I want a solution,” he said.

Hobbs also reminded lawmakers of the latest mandated water cutoff from the Colorado River, which represents 21% of the water the state receives from its sources.

“This should be a wake-up call for all of us because it will take us all to solve this problem,” she said.

“Legislators, public officials, the business community, each of us, must commit to the partnerships necessary to avoid this,” Hobbes continued. We must be rooted in honesty and transparency about what we collectively face.”

Listen to House Minority Leader Andrés Cano and host Mark Brody

Part of that reality came when the new governor ordered the Department of Water Resources to release a report saying parts of the valley far west of Phoenix were unable to meet legal requirements for guaranteed water supplies. It became clear. .

“I cannot understand and will never agree with my predecessor’s choice to keep this report away from the public and members of Congress,” she told lawmakers. My decision to do so shows how I plan to address our water problems openly and directly.”

The governor also called on lawmakers to close the “water poaching loophole” that allowed Saudi companies to lease land in La Paz county to grow alfalfa and then ship it to the Middle East.

“We all know that’s not right,” said Hobbes. “Our groundwater should be used to support the people of Arizona, not foreign business interests.”

But that’s just the beginning of what needs to be done, she said.

“In many areas of our state, groundwater withdrawal is virtually unrestricted, and communities receive little or no support to manage their water supply,” the governor said. , new water users can move in, dig wells, and pump as much water as possible, even if it depletes local aquifers.”

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