Stay ahead of the curve as a political insider with deep policy analysis, daily briefings and policy-shaping tools.
Request a DemoState agencies have submitted their budget requests to the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting, and most are jockeying for more money in FY 2026 despite cuts made to settle the state’s budget deficit in FY 2024 and 2025. Not all agency budget requests are available online yet, and OSPB did not respond to our reporter’s question about when they would be available. But some of the major agencies, like the Dept. of Public Safety and the Dept. of Environmental Quality have posted requests online, outlining the funding they’ll need to keep their agencies successful in the coming years. ADEQ submitted a detailed list of funding asks that included 15 items needing budgetary attention. Many of the agency’s budgetary limitations stem from fee-based programs that are not generating enough revenue to stay afloat and affecting ADEQ’s ability to comply with federal laws like the Clean Water Act. The agency is asking for over $28 million more in appropriated funds in FY 2026 to address issues like water contamination, air emissions, abandoned mines and hazardous waste. Meanwhile, DPS is asking for over $53 million more in appropriated funds to help finance state Highway Patrol projects and salaries and uniforms for officers. The agency is eliminating $770 million in funding for public safety equipment after lawmakers passed the most recent state budget. Other agencies are also likely to request more funding for FY 2026, but whether or not the state will have the money to grant those requests remains to be seen.
State’s revenue picture looks rosy but not enough for a spending spree
JLBC’s latest monthly fiscal report shows October revenues significantly exceeded budget analysts’ projections, resulting in a $128 million gain above the enacted budget’s revenue forecast. General fund revenue collections from the month were more than 26% over October 2023, totaling $1.31 billion. Analysts attributed most of the forecast gain to individual and corporate income tax …
Eight down, three to go
Of the 17 applicants vying for the vacancy on the Arizona Supreme Court, the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments forwarded eight applicants to the interview stage – six Democrats and two Independents. Given constitutional constraints, the maximum number of applicants that could be sent to the governor would be five, with two Independents and three …
Here’s one who won’t face Hoffman
The Director of the Office of Tourism abruptly resigned Friday after a report that a contract for the state’s logo rebrand went to a company she has ties with, but Hobbs said she doesn’t regret the project. The Arizona Agenda reported on Thursday that the bid to redesign the state’s logo went to the brother …
Democrats to Republicans: Hypocritical much?
While Hobbs and her director nominees prepare for a rematch with Senate DINO, some Democrats are criticizing Republicans for touting Trump nominees with arguably more questionable pasts. Ortiz, newly elected to the Senate, said, “The hypocrisy is palpable” from legislative Republicans. “It’s incredibly hypocritical to see how Republicans have lined up to back Trump’s cabinet …