Laurie Roberts, a columnist for the Arizona Republic, said that Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a bipartisan transparency bill aimed at exposing potential pay-to-play schemes. This action comes amid ongoing scrutiny over large donations linked to favorable state contracts. Roberts made these remarks in an op-ed.
“The Legislature passes a bill requiring more transparency of such sweetheart deals, and Hobbs vetoes it,” said Roberts. “OK, yeah. The whole thing stinks.”
According to Roberts’ op-ed, Governor Hobbs vetoed Senate Bill 1612, a measure designed to illuminate potential pay-to-play arrangements within state government. The bill, sponsored by Senator T.J. Shope, would have required companies seeking state contracts to disclose any donations made to the governor or affiliated organizations over the past five years. This legislation followed reports revealing that Sunshine Residential Homes—a company entirely funded by state contracts—donated $100,000 to Hobbs’ inauguration fund before receiving a nearly 60% increase in its state contract to house children in Department of Child Safety custody.
The bill was approved by all Republican lawmakers and one Democrat, Senator Analise Ortiz of Phoenix. However, Hobbs vetoed it late on a Friday, justifying her decision by stating that existing procurement practices at the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)—one of the agencies implicated—already meet federal standards, according to Roberts’ op-ed. Shope remarked that Hobbs’ veto is an “alarming example of the fox guarding the henhouse.” He added, “Had she signed this bill into law, she would have given the citizens of Arizona greater confidence in state government acting in their best interests, and not the best interests of political campaign coffers.”
Senate Bill 1612 sought to enhance transparency by requiring companies bidding for state contracts to disclose any donations made to the governor or affiliated entities within the past five years. The legislation also aimed to eliminate exemptions allowing certain agencies like AHCCCS to operate outside standard procurement rules. This initiative followed revelations that Sunshine Residential Homes received a nearly 60% rate increase in its state contract after contributing $100,000 to Hobbs’ inauguration fund and additional funds to the Arizona Democratic Party, according to Axios. No other group home providers received similar rate increases during that period.
Roberts is a columnist for both the Arizona Republic and AZ Central.
