Arizona Governor Candidate – Katie Hobbs
Katie Hobbs is a seasoned, pragmatic leader. As Secretary of State, she streamlined operations, fixed broken systems and battled misinformation to restore Arizonans’ trust in government.
Hobbs was out of the state on Thursday, so the state treasurer temporarily served as acting governor. But rumors of her sudden resignation are unfounded.
1. Invest in Education
In her State of the State address, Governor Hobbs made education a top priority. She wants to change the results-based funding model that rewards schools for high test scores and letter grades, while neglecting rural and economically struggling areas.
She’d also like to invest in early learning programs, make college more affordable and increase teacher pay. Her budget would support a refundable child tax credit and expand childcare assistance, while adding money for training and professional development programs for teachers.
Her plan would also provide $68 million for schools to increase their student achievement through school improvement grants and invest in career and technical education. She’d also add $12 million for Goodwill Excel Centers, which empower adult students with the skills and credentials they need to thrive in their careers. And she’d invest in the state’s long-term water augmentation fund and increase support for probation department case managers. Lastly, her budget would improve employee retention in the department of administration and add 83 jobs in the major incident division that investigates law enforcement officer shootings.
2. Streamline Support For Children And Families In Need
As a social worker and domestic violence advocate, Katie has seen the devastating impact that a life changing event can have on families. As governor, she will work to streamline the bureaucracy and make government more efficient for everyday Arizonans by combining life changing services under fewer agencies.
She will fight to reduce and eliminate racial disparities in the criminal justice system, where Arizonans are overrepresented and over-incarcerated; and she’ll make sure that our education and child welfare systems are working to serve children, not warehouse them.
As governor, Katie will lead to ensure that more Arizona families can afford the cost of raising a child by expanding the state-level childcare tax credit to help working Arizona families with the costs of daycare and preschool. She’ll also work to expand KidsCare eligibility so that more Arizonans have access to this vital program. The decision to have a child is one of the most personal and important choices that a woman can make, and she will work fearlessly to protect women’s right to reproductive freedom.
3. Bring Transparency And Accountability To The Governor’s Office
While working as a social worker and running a domestic violence shelter, Katie saw the price Arizonans pay when our leaders don’t tackle the tough problems facing us. She’s fearless in seeking solutions and will bring transparency and accountability to the governor’s office.
After winning the election, Hobbs made a name for herself as a strong defender of voter integrity and pushed back against her Republican rival’s claims that the 2020 vote was rigged. She’ll continue to stand up for the facts and fight against Trump and his allies in battleground states like Arizona.
Katie was sworn in for her new term as governor on Monday, along with the state treasurer, attorney general and superintendent of public instruction. Arizona’s constitution states that in the event of the governor’s absence, the next highest ranking statewide elected official will assume her duties and responsibilities. Arizona’s secretary of state is currently serving as acting governor in Hobbs’ absence.
4. Make Government Work For All Arizonans
With experience in both the private and public sectors, Governor Hobbs has a deep desire to make Arizonans’ lives better. Whether it’s investing in education or cutting red tape to fuel job creation, she sees her role as governor as a continuation of her social work.
As Secretary of State, Hobbs forcefully defended the ballots and votes of all Arizonans. She has a strong track record of working across the aisle and will bring that same approach as governor to ensure that government works for all Arizonans.
Arizona is one of only five states without a lieutenant governor. When a governor is out of state, responsibility falls to the next person in line, such as the Secretary of State, Attorney General or Treasurer. Yee maintains that the constitution means what it says and is not willing to circumvent it.
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