(The Center Square) – The Arizona House has passed a budget that Gov. Katie Hobbs is expected to sign, just days before a government shutdown.
After the Democratic governor vetoed two budget proposals Wednesday, the Republican majority in the House passed an approximately $17.6 billion budget Thursday night by a bipartisan vote of 40-16. Nine Republicans and seven Democrats voted against the bill. The GOP members of the Arizona Freedom Caucus blasted it for excessive spending and giving too many concessions to Hobbs, and the Democrats objected to $24 million for border safety.
The budget went to the 30-member Senate Friday for its final approval. The Senate previously passed a $17.6 million budget that Hobbs liked.
As of press time Friday morning, the Senate hadn’t voted on the latest budget.
Without a budget signed by the governor, the state government will shut down Monday for the first time in its history. While Republicans hold majorities in both houses, they lack enough seats to override Hobbs’ vetoes.
This is a developing story.
