Last week, the 24th Annual East Valley Breakfast with the Governor brought business leaders, community members, and policymakers together to hear Governor Katie Hobbs outline her vision for Arizona’s future. Organized by the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance (EVCCA) and presented by SRP, the event highlighted plans under the theme of “The Arizona Promise.” Here are the key points discussed:
Housing Costs
Governor Hobbs proposed several strategies to address Arizona’s housing challenges. These include:
- Extending the State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to support affordable housing development.
- Addressing the proliferation of vacation rentals owned by out-of-state corporations to increase housing availability for residents.
- Streamlining regulatory processes to reduce housing costs.
Homelessness
To support families experiencing housing instability, the Governor introduced the Working Families Child Care Act, which aims to lower child care expenses by two-thirds, potentially freeing up resources for other needs.
Workforce Development
The Governor emphasized workforce development by proposing increased investment in the BuildItAZ initiative, designed to align workforce skills with economic demands.
K-12 Education
In discussing education, the Governor identified key priorities:
- Reauthorizing Prop 123 and extending the aggregate expenditure limit to maintain funding for public schools.
- Ensuring adequate teacher staffing and smaller class sizes to enhance educational outcomes.
- Increasing accountability for the ESA program to ensure effective use of funds.
Public Safety
Public safety measures highlighted include:
- Deploying the Arizona National Guard to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the border.
- Implementing a 5% pay increase for state law enforcement personnel, correctional officers, and firefighters.
- Additional pay raises for state police and firefighters.
Water Resources
To address water security, the Governor proposed:
- Bipartisan reforms to protect groundwater and mitigate current challenges.
- Securing long-term water supplies by advocating for Arizona’s share of the Colorado River.
These initiatives aim to address critical issues facing Arizona. A copy of the full State of the State Address is available here.
Final Thoughts
The East Valley Breakfast with the Governor provided a platform to discuss significant policy proposals and initiatives. Events like this underscore the value of dialogue between government leaders and the community to address shared challenges and opportunities.
