NW Valley Times

House Appropriations Chairman David Livingston has expressed gratitude to Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee for her letter addressing concerns over Governor Katie Hobbs' budget management. Livingston commended Yee's dedication to transparency and accountability amid a $350 million budget shortfall, which he attributes to the Hobbs administration's spending practices.

"I appreciate Treasurer Yee’s clarity in addressing the financial mess Governor Hobbs has created. The issue isn’t ‘missing money’—it’s blatant mismanagement," said Livingston. He criticized the governor's leadership, stating that state agencies are making significant spending decisions without legislative oversight, leading to increased costs for taxpayers.

Livingston previously highlighted issues with the state's Developmental Disabilities Program, which is nearing insolvency due to unilateral decisions by Hobbs' administration. Despite this, the governor's budget proposal requests an additional $328 million for these programs.

"This Governor is running Arizona’s budget into the ground," Livingston continued. "She’s refusing to control spending, and instead of making responsible choices, she’s leaving families on the hook for her failures. The Republican Majority Legislature won’t stand by while she bankrupts the state."

Livingston promised ongoing scrutiny of state agency budgets and affirmed that the Joint Legislative Budget Committee will hold the Hobbs administration accountable for its financial management.

A copy of Treasurer Yee’s letter is attached.

David Livingston serves as a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives from Legislative District 28 in Peoria and chairs the House Appropriations Committee.

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