(The Center Square) – Arizona state Democratic lawmakers are critical of the Republican-led Senate Committee of Reference not wanting to allow government organizations to be continued longer than two years, including the Governor’s Office of Tribal Relations.
Two indigenous lawmakers, Sens. Sally Ann Gonzales and Theresa Hatathlie, expressed disagreement for a shorter continuation of the office.
“It is more critical than ever before to recognize the important role that the Governor’s Office on Tribal Relations,” Gonzales said in a statement on Friday. “This office, while not large or of great cost to the state, serves the native people of this land who are often ignored by government decision-makers. I have sincere concerns that the two-year continuation would pull this office’s attention away from serving our tribal nations because of nothing more than radical legislative overreach. At this time, the Office has done nothing to deserve this short continuation and I believe that the lives, work, and investments of Arizona’s tribes are worth more than any political games.”
Hatahlie said the office has been important in fostering communication between tribal communities and the state government, particularly on issues such as missing people and the “sober living home crisis.”
“That is why I support the full ten-year continuation in HB 2604, sponsored by Representative Mae Peshlakai, to ensure that tribes and other stakeholders are uplifted in order to stop these preventable tragedies from continuing,” Hatathlie stated. “I want to thank my Democratic colleagues for making this continuation a priority to honor and recognize the importance of our tribal nations’ contribution to the state.”
In fiscal year 2024, the office costs $68,800 from the general fund, which is the same amount being requested for the office by Gov. Katie Hobbs for next year’s budget. The fiscal year 2024 expenditure plan shows that the office in on track for $97,300 in spending, which is a mix of the allocated general fund dollars and “other non-appropriated funds,” according to the governor’s budget book. In fiscal year 2023, $109,600 was spent in total, with $69,700 coming from the general fund.
While many government entities are on track for shorter continuations, some may be getting significant changes. The Center Square has been following the possible sunsetting of the Arizona Commerce Authority, which has been the subject of scrutiny following an Auditor General report and Attorney General findings regarding spending.
