Pinal Today

Arizona State Senator Wendy Rogers has expressed criticism of Governor Katie Hobbs' recent actions. Hobbs decided to withdraw her nominations for several state agency directors from Senate consideration. Rogers, in a statement, criticized Hobbs for her disdain towards the Arizona Senate's role in the confirmation process, saying, "Doggone that pesky Arizona Senate with its 'advice and consent' role as fundamental underpinning to our Separation of Powers. Hatie Hobbs hates when it gets in her way."

Hobbs alleges that the Senate intentionally delayed the consideration of her nominees. She sent a letter to Senate President Warren Peterson, accusing the Committee on Nominations of conducting an improper review of her nominations. Hobbs primarily blames Senator Jake Hoffman, Chair of the Committee on Nominations, and asserts that the entire process is unlawful. She also declared her intention to "pursue other lawful means of ensuring the state government can work for Arizonans."

As Republicans possess a legislative majority, they have the power to reject the governor's director nominees. Hobbs places blame on Senate Republicans, while they argue that Hobbs is acting unlawfully and deeming her nominees unworthy of consideration. The nominations committee recently rejected Hobbs' choice to lead the Arizona Department of Housing, citing plagiarism allegations, causing tension between the Democratic Governor and the Republican majority. However, the nominations committee had previously approved Hobbs' choices to head other departments, such as the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Corrections.

The withdrawn nominees were intended for various agencies, including lottery, tourism, environmental quality, insurance and financial institutions, gaming, housing, child safety, veteran services, and more. These nominees will now assume the role of executive deputy directors, a position they can hold for up to a year without confirmation, or until the Senate decides to "return to the regular order of confirming nominees," according to Hobbs' letter.

President Petersen responded to Hobbs' letter, stating, "This move by the Executive Branch showcases another prime example of an elected official who believes they're above the law and will go to extreme measures to bypass the requirements of the law when they don't get their way. The law is very specific on who is to run our state agencies. Without directors fulfilling these obligations, the legality of every decision made by these state agencies is dubious, and litigation against the state would surely prevail."

Chairman Hoffman also criticized Hobbs, accusing her of weaponizing the government of Arizona to enact her extreme far-left agenda. He stated, "Hobbs is the only person to blame for her nominees struggling to succeed under actual due diligence. She should have done her homework prior to making her nominations, yet she chose not to and is now attempting to blame everyone else except herself for her failures."

The tensions between Governor Hobbs and Senate Republicans continue to escalate as they clash over the confirmation process and the suitability of her nominees for various state agency director positions.