By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services
PHOENIX -- Arizona won't be taking money away from state universities and community colleges that offer courses in diversity, equity and inclusion.
In a series of vetoes late Friday, Gov. Katie Hobbs rejected a proposal by Sen. David Farnsworth that would remove all state funds from any school that had even one course that his legislation declared unacceptable. That includes anything that relates contemporary American society to things like whiteness, institutional racism, unconscious bias, gender identity, social justice, race-based reparations, and gender-based inclusion.
And that's just a partial list of what the measure crafted by the Mesa Republican would not allow.
Farnsworth said he crafted the proposal after reading a book in a course on cultural diversity he is taking at Rio Salado Community College to go after his bachelor's degree in elementary education.
In her veto message, the governor did not address the specific concerns raised by Farnsworth but instead focused on the effects the bill would have.
"Our state universities and community colleges play a vital role in developing Arizona's workforce, improving our economy, and strengthening our qualify of life through transformational research,'' she wrote. "Jeopardizing their state funding with a bill that lacks clarity attacks future stability and would lead to negative effects on the state's workforce and economy.''
All totaled, Hobbs om Friday found fault with 23 proposals that reached her desk, bringing her tally so far this still-ongoing legislative session to 75. That already is two more than she issued during the entire 2024 session.
Her record -- in fact, the record for any governor in state history -- is the 143 bills she vetoed in 2023.
Also getting her veto stamp was a proposal by Sen. David Gowan to impose personal fines of $5,000 against any elected or appointed official who "knowingly and willfully'' violates existing laws that preempt cities and counties from enacting any local regulation of firearms.
Hobbs called it unnecessary.
"There are existing mechanisms to challenge city ordinances,'' she wrote.
That's true according to Michael Infanzon, lobbyist for the Arizona Citizens Defense League which has filed such challenges, most recently to a Pima County ordinance imposing a fine of up to $1,000 on people who fail to report the theft or loss of a firearm within 48 hours. And, in fact, a judge struck down the ordinance.
But Infanzon said such rulings haven't deterred officials in some cities and counties from continuing to enact restrictions.
He said they figure they have nothing to lose, what with the legal defense and any fines paid by taxpayers. Infanzon said civil fines which officials would have to pay from their own pockets would make them think twice.
Hobbs also refused to be told by state lawmakers that she must "enforce, administer and cooperate with federal actions, orders and programs that relate to the enforcement of federal immigration laws.''
The proposal is one of several being pushed by Republicans who say they want state and local officials to do all they can to help the Trump administration round up and deport those here illegally. This one, sponsored by Rep. Teresa Martinez, R-Casa Grande, not only imposed the requirement on the governor but also the attorney general as well as all cities, towns and counties.
Hobbs called it unnecessary.
"When I assumed the role of governor, I pledged to uphold both the U.S. Constitution and the Arizona Constitution, as did each of you,'' she wrote in her veto message to lawmakers. And Hobbs said she has worked with the federal government to secure the border, stop the flow of fentanyl and disrupt cartel operations.
But she said these are decisions that must be made locally.
"Arizonans, not Washington, D.C. politicians, must decide what's best for Arizona,'' the governor said.
Hobbs also rejected a related proposal that would have required county jails to daily transmit to Immigration and Customs Enforcement the name, address, date of birth, gender and social security number of anyone arrested for certain offenses. These range from larceny and shoplifting to burglary, assault on a law enforcement officer and any other offense that results in death or serious bodily injury.
The legislation is one in a series of measures designed to ensure that local governments cooperate with ICE to identify and remove those not here legally. But the governor called it unnecessary.
"Existing state law already bans sanctuary cities,'' she said.
"I expect state and local governments to uphold the law and work with the federal government to secure the border,'' Hobbs wrote in her veto message. "However, this places extreme burdens on local law enforcement.''
Hobbs also objected to legislation crafted by Sen. Mark Finchem putting new restrictions on unemployment benefits.
These are payments that are available to those who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, including layoffs. The cost is borne by a premium on employers, with the rates paid by each linked to how often they release employees.
The proposal by the Prescott Republican would have tightened some requirements for recipients to seek employment. But it also would have barred the Department of Economic Security from paying benefits until they had checked a series of state and federal databases, something that would have to occur weekly.
"This legislation creates unnecessary delays for workers, burdens for employers, and costs for the state,'' Hobbs wrote.
The governor also nixed legislation that would make voter registration rolls available on the internet.
Proponents said that would enable any individual to have access and report inaccuracies. But Hobbs said it "poses risks that the information will be misused or used for commercial purposes.''
And the governor also vetoed legislation that would make the "cast vote record'' -- essentially a digital representation of every vote cast -- a public record. Hobbs said she believes it would put voter privacy at risk.
Hobbs also rejected two measures making changes in groundwater regulation, saying she is trying to work with lawmakers to come up with a comprehensive plan
"I am disappointed that neither of these bills would move toward solving the water policy challenges that Arizona residents and communities are facing today,'' the governor said. "To see more effort misspent on pointless bill that would only weaken groundwater protections is a continued affront to rural Arizonans who have asked their legislature for years to address rural groundwater challenges.''
Other bill vetoed Friday by the governor include:
- Allowing the state treasurer and public retirement funds to invest up to 10% of their holdings in "virtual currency'' like Bitcoin. "Arizonans' retirement funds are not the place for the state try untested investments like virtual currency,'' the governor said.
- Prohibiting state agencies, boards, commissions and departments from using any programs on DEI -- diversity, equity and inclusion -- in the hiring, training and promotion of employees. Hobbs dismissed the legislation as "Detrimental, Ineffective, Nonsensical, and Objectionable.''
- Requiring school districts to prepare budgets for three years. "It would do nothing to improve the budgeting process for school districts,'' the governor said.
- Eliminating the ability of transgender people to get an amended birth certificate. "I encourage the Legislature to focus on real issues that matter and impact people's everyday lives,'' she wrote.
- Mandating a minimum award of $2,500 for each violation of the Parents' Bill of Rights.
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