SE Valley Times

Last week, the 24th Annual East Valley Breakfast with the Governor took place, bringing together business leaders, community members, and policymakers. Governor Katie Hobbs presented her vision for Arizona’s future at this event organized by the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance (EVCCA) and presented by SRP. The theme was "The Arizona Promise," and several key topics were discussed.

Governor Hobbs addressed Arizona's housing challenges by proposing to extend the State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to support affordable housing development. She also highlighted the need to address vacation rentals owned by out-of-state corporations to increase housing availability for residents. Additionally, she suggested streamlining regulatory processes to reduce housing costs.

To support families experiencing housing instability, Governor Hobbs introduced the Working Families Child Care Act. This act aims to lower child care expenses by two-thirds, potentially freeing up resources for other needs.

In workforce development, Governor Hobbs emphasized increased investment in the BuildItAZ initiative. This initiative is designed to align workforce skills with economic demands.

Regarding K-12 education, the Governor identified priorities such as reauthorizing Prop 123 and extending the aggregate expenditure limit to maintain funding for public schools. She also stressed ensuring adequate teacher staffing and smaller class sizes while increasing accountability for the ESA program to ensure effective use of funds.

Public safety measures included deploying the Arizona National Guard to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the border. Additionally, a 5% pay increase was proposed for state law enforcement personnel, correctional officers, and firefighters along with additional pay raises for state police and firefighters.

To address water security issues, Governor Hobbs proposed bipartisan reforms aimed at protecting groundwater and mitigating current challenges. She also advocated securing long-term water supplies by pushing for Arizona’s share of the Colorado River.

These initiatives are intended to tackle critical issues facing Arizona today. A copy of the full State of the State Address is available online.

The East Valley Breakfast with the Governor served as a platform for discussing significant policy proposals and initiatives. Events like this highlight the importance of dialogue between government leaders and communities in addressing shared challenges and opportunities.