State Sen. T.J. Shope (R-Ariz), left, and Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) | AZLeg.gov / AZGovernor.gov
State Sen. T.J. Shope (R-Ariz), left, and Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) | AZLeg.gov / AZGovernor.gov
Ariz. State Sen. T.J. Shope (R-Coolidge) criticized Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) for taking credit for a tax rebate that she opposed, while being supported by Republicans.
“I know the governor wanted no part of this tax rebate but thankfully, the Arizona Senate GOP and Arizona House GOP caucuses, led by the Arizona Freedom Caucus, stood strong and demanded it be part of the state budget,” Shope posted on X, formerly Twitter. “When we stick together, we can provide positive things for Arizona’s families.”
Shope’s comments are in response to a social media post yesterday by Hobbs, which said she was “pleased to make good” on her “promise to make it easier for Arizonans to provide for their families and manage rising costs” by announcing the “Arizona Families Tax Rebate.”
“Hobbs is claiming credit for a $260 million tax rebate to families that she didn’t want in the state budget,” reported the Arizona Daily Star.
State Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) is chair of the Arizona Freedom Caucus which, reports the Daily Star, “came up with the rebate idea.”
Hoffman said the law was actually written to preclude the governor from taking credit for the law, which states, “No letter relating to the Arizona families tax rebate issued under this section shall be sent from the governor’s office, be sent on the governor’s letterhead or reference the governor’s office.”
Hobbs is violating the law, said Hoffman, because her administration sent out a letter announcing the rebate, and that letter directs recipients to visit the governor’s website.
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