Gov. Katie Hobbs is putting education at the top of her agenda for 2023. In her State of the State address on Monday afternoon, Democrat Hobbs said she wants to lift a spending cap that could kneecap public schools, increase funding for public education – specifically teacher pay – and improve oversight of non-district schools that receive public money. 

At a public inauguration ceremony on Jan. 5, Gov. Katie Hobbs repeated the message she’s emphasized since winning election almost two months ago: she’s ready to work across the aisle with Republican lawmakers, within reason. 

The 2023 legislative session is set to start next week and will usher in a new era of divided government, with the governor's office occupied by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and the legislative chambers both controlled by Republican majorities. Hobbs sat down with the Arizona Capitol Times on Wednesday to talk about her goals for the upcoming session.

County officials around the state are reassuring the public that equipment has been thoroughly tested to ensure only valid ballots are counted for the Nov. 8 election.

Most Americans prefer politicians who work across the aisle, Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said Monday in a forceful defense of her brand of bipartisanship, which has infuriated the left and is likely to draw her a primary challenge.

The Interior Department is giving Arizona and 23 other states a total of $560 million to start cleaning high-priority derelict oil and gas wells abandoned on state and private land, the department said August 25. 

The U.S. Senate on Aug. 7 approved the Inflation Reduction Act, which builds on Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s accomplishments as lead negotiator and co-author of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment Jobs law to address climate change –– and create good-paying jobs right here in Arizona.

Arizona passed its first truly bipartisan budget in years after some Republicans refused to budge on conservative issues and forced leadership to meet Democratic demands. 

House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, D-Laveen, is pleased that what he called the "first true bipartisan budget since Governor Napolitano" was passed by state lawmakers last session. He also is happy that a historic water deal was approved, along with tribal gaming and a special session was held on wildfires during his last two years as House minority leader. the first true bipartisan budget since Governor Napolitano. We passed a historic water deal, tribal gaming was something that also happened during this time ... there was a special session on wildfires, and we were able to negotiate $90 million in ARPA funding to provide direct assistance to Arizona nonprofit organizations to support the community. 

Senate President Karen Fann said it has been a huge honor serving as president in the Senate. She is only the second female Senate president in Arizona. Fann said some highlights of the past session for her include lawmakers passing a water bill, as well as a bipartisan budget and a K-12 base funding increase.