Hobbs broke the record for the most vetoes. She says the amount shouldn’t be a surprise

By Jill Ryan
Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services
Published: Monday, August 7, 2023 - 12:23pm
Updated: Monday, August 7, 2023 - 2:19pm

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs into law a bipartisan budget
Arizona Governor's Office
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs into law a bipartisan budget agreement on May 11, 2023.

It’s been a bumpy legislative session in Arizona. Many bills sent to the governor’s office were known to be dead on arrival — and by the end of the session, Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed the most bills for any Arizona governor ever. 

“I made it clear when I was campaigning that I was going to be the backstop against things that curtail people's rights, that don't help us with economic growth. And I've done that," Hobbs said.

→ Here's a list of all the Arizona bills Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed

Hobbs says the amount of vetoes shouldn’t be a surprise. She blames legislative Republicans for sending her bills that went directly against what she was elected for. She stopped measures that targeted drag and LGBTQ rights, as well as politically inspired changes to state election law and regulations. 

Hobbs vetoed a total of 143 bills — surpassing the previous 58-veto record set in 2005. And this was all in just her first year in the governor’s office.

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