State Rep. Steve Montenegro | Arizona Legislature
State Rep. Steve Montenegro | Arizona Legislature
Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro, with Majority Leader Michael Carbone, Majority Whip Julie Willoughby, Speaker Pro Tempore Neal Carter, and other House Republican members, held a news conference to address financial issues linked to Governor Katie Hobbs. The focus was on the Department of Child Safety's Congregate Care program facing bankruptcy next week.
"This is not a simple oversight—it is gross financial mismanagement at the highest level," said Speaker Montenegro. He criticized Governor Hobbs for "overspending" and "ignoring reality," warning that Arizona’s children will suffer due to these failures.
In response, Speaker Montenegro announced the formation of a House Ad Hoc Committee on Executive Budget Mismanagement. This committee aims to investigate the Hobbs administration's fiscal management practices and their impact on critical services.
Montenegro highlighted ongoing concerns: "Congregate Care is set to go bankrupt next week. The Governor’s mismanaged Developmental Disabilities program will collapse by the end of April." He also noted budgeting issues with AHCCCS over two years.
The Speaker has tasked the Chairman of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee with instructing the Hobbs administration to redirect funds to protect children under DCS care. Montenegro emphasized that it is not the Legislature's role to resolve these crises but rather for the administration to correct its spending habits.
"The people of Arizona didn’t elect us to stand by while the Governor manufactures crisis after crisis," Montenegro said. He urged accountability from Governor Hobbs and cooperation from her staff in addressing these budgetary challenges.
The new committee will begin work immediately, with further details forthcoming. Video footage of the news conference can be accessed online.
Steve Montenegro serves as Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives for Legislative District 29 in areas including Goodyear and Surprise. Follow him on X at @SteveMontenegro.
Information from this article can be found here.
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