Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is turning out to be quite the pragmatist, disappointing Democratic allies and angering detractors.
What’s not to like about that?
A lot substantively.
But politically, her adeptness in dealing with the Republican-controlled Legislature is worth noting.
The Legislature finally concluded its longest session in recent history after brokering two deals with the Democratic governor that will have long-term repercussions.
Hobbs and Republicans agreed to let voters in Maricopa County decide whether to extend a transportation tax, something Democrats desperately wanted.
In exchange, Hobbs signed legislation preventing cities from collecting residential taxes, angering Democratic and Republican mayors.
I get their anger.
Nobody wants to be told what to do, especially when the Legislature has incessantly sought to hamstring cities and towns from a range of decisions that should be left to local governments.
In this case, though, Hobbs showed decisive leadership, forging ahead with the best possible outcome under a divided state government.
She made important concessions in exchange for a big prize — a transportation tax worth nearly $30 billion in state and federal dollars over two decades.
Specifically, Hobbs gave up some light rail extensions and agreed to end the residential tax some cities and town collect, money they use for general operating expenses such as public safety and park improvements.
Overall, cities and towns stand to collectively lose about $230 million in 2025, when the new ban kicks in.
That disappointed mayors across Arizona, including Kate Gallego of Phoenix and John Giles of Mesa, who told 3 TV, “The proponents of this reduction in revenues to cities will give passionate speeches about ‘the evils of defunding the police department,’ but that’s exactly what they have done.”
Another view:GOP was real winner in transportation tax battle
But what else did they want Hobbs to do?
They wanted it all, knowing perfectly well that was impossible without working out a deal with Republicans.
Hobbs bought them some time by delaying the ban until 2025.
Surely, cities and towns can figure something out to replace that revenue without hurting renters, the people who need help the most under Arizona’s current housing crisis and who will not see any relief now.
The governor had previously vetoed the Republican-backed rental tax legislation, saying it wasn’t enforceable and thus didn’t protect renters. Now it does, albeit not for another two years.
The compromise is far from ideal.
Nobody got it all, and that speaks to Hobbs’ gutsy ability to govern — a sign of what Arizonans might expect over the next three-plus year of her administration.
Elvia Díaz is editorial page editor for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Reach her at 602-444-8606 or elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter, @elviadiaz1.
Gov. Hobbs' rental tax deal is a good sign for Arizona
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03.08.2023
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is turning out to be quite the pragmatist, disappointing Democratic allies and angering detractors.
What’s not to like about that?
A lot substantively.
But politically, her adeptness in dealing with the Republican-controlled Legislature is worth noting.
The Legislature finally concluded its longest session in recent history after brokering two deals with the Democratic governor that will have long-term repercussions.
Hobbs and Republicans agreed to let voters in Maricopa County decide whether to extend a transportation tax, something Democrats desperately wanted.
In exchange, Hobbs signed legislation preventing cities from collecting residential taxes, angering Democratic and Republican........
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