PHX Reporter

Arizona's budget presentation took a heated turn as border security issues became the focal point of discussions during a recent Joint Committee on Appropriations hearing.

The debate focused on Governor Katie Hobbs’ proposal allocating $1 million in ongoing funding for Operation SECURE, focusing on border security and an additional $15 million for the SAFE Initiative, aimed at combating the fentanyl epidemic.

State Rep. Matt Gress (R-Phoenix) confronted the Hobbs administration during the hearing, seeking clarity on the allocation of funds for border security and addressing the fentanyl epidemic.

Gress emphasized the need for transparency in Hobbs' budget proposals, especially regarding the deployment of resources to tackle the illicit fentanyl pouring across the border.

“The governor in her budget is asking the legislature to fund billions of dollars. It's about fentanyl, and I think it's important for appropriators to know what the larger strategy is and how those dollars will actually be spent,” Gress told PHX Reporter.

“I mean, we're talking about an illicit substance that is pouring across our border, and I need to have confidence. And knowing that the governor plans to spend those dollars at the border. That's what I wanted to hear from the executive, that the money's going to be used to address the catastrophe at the border.”

Gress raised concerns about the administration's past decisions, including disbanding the border strike force and reallocating National Guard funds, and questioned the current focus on the border, citing mixed records since Hobbs took office.

“I'm pleased that at least in (Hobbs’) state of the state, she seems to be taking the border more seriously, but I don't think that has always been the case,” Gress said.

“From the beginning of her administration, when she came into office, her first budget sought to disband the border strike force within the Department of Public Safety. I didn't think that was a good idea. In her final, in her, in the last report that's available from her Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. She said that money was spent within the National Guard deployment account. I think it was about $7 million of unspent money. And she said we have no further use for these dollars for the National Guard.”

Gress added that Hobbs had previously used taxpayer funds to remove barriers at the border installed by her predecessor, Gov. Doug Ducey.

“Governor Hobbs used money that was supposed to be for border protection, to remove the very protection that had just been deployed months earlier,” Gress said.

“But now this year, Governor Hobbs, in her state of the state and in her budget, seeks to, you know, pay more attention to the border. And yet we know that the person to blame is President Joe Biden. She blames ‘the federal government’ and we know that the problems are happening at the border. Yet, when asked, her representatives weren't willing to acknowledge that. So it's been a mixed record since taking office.”

Arizona Capitol Oversight’s Brian Anderson highlighted the exchange on social media and Hobbs administration's inability to answer questions about the primary drivers of the fentanyl epidemic in Arizona.

"Oh man - brutal exchange Senior @KatieHobbs director repeatedly unable to answer calm, simple questions from Rep. @MatthewGress such as: "Where is the fentanyl coming from?”

“Hobbs admin is totally unprepared for this job.”

The critique stemmed from an intense questioning session in the Joint Committee on Appropriations, where Gress sought answers from Hobbs' appointee Marge Zylla.

“I did want to ask because this is related to the fentanyl epidemic and there are several proposals throughout the executive budget that contemplate addressing fentanyl,” Gress said. “What's the primary driver of the fentanyl epidemic in Arizona? What's causing it or who's causing it?”

Zylla did not answer Gress’s question directly.

“Uh, Mr. Chair, representative Grasse so as far as the FY 25 executive budget, we're highlighting the funding and resources that are going out to different agencies, uh, locally, state agencies to help combat it. But it doesn't contemplate that,” she said.

Gress continued to press Zylla on the specifics of the executive budget proposals aimed at addressing the fentanyl crisis.

“Budgets are policy documents, as you know, Ms. Zylla. There must be a reason, a goal to stopping Arizona's fentanyl epidemic. It's the name of your initiative. What or who are you trying to stop with these investments?” Gress said.

Despite Gress's repeated attempts to elicit a direct response about the origin of the fentanyl, Zylla stated that the budget prioritizes sending resources to state and local agencies dealing with the epidemic.

“Mr. Chairman, representative Gress. Um, what we have heard from, um, the state agencies in coordinating with local law enforcement and local sheriffs is that they need additional resources for this topic. And so this budget is prioritizing sending those resources to use,” Zylla said.

Gress reiterated his inquiry.

“Let me just try it one more time. Where is the fentanyl coming from that you are trying to address with this initiative?” Gress said. “This is a simple question, Mr. Chairman.”

“Maybe. Maybe not,” Chairman Rep. David Livingston said.

Zylla still refused to answer Gress’s question.

“The budget contemplates the resources to help address the fentanyl epidemic that we're facing,” the appointee said.

Livingston also expressed frustration over the absence of a clear plan from the governor.

The contentious discussions underscored the challenges associated with finding effective solutions to complex border security issues.

According to the Center Square, lawmakers, particularly those from the Republican party, sought detailed insights into how these proposed initiatives would effectively tackle the influx of fentanyl, a national security concern linked to hundreds of thousands of deaths.

Accusations of political posturing were exchanged during the hearing, but some lawmakers stressed the seriousness of border matters, emphasizing the need for a genuine conversation.

Lawmakers, particularly Republicans, pressed for details on how these efforts would address the flow of fentanyl, a national security concern causing hundreds of thousands of deaths.

The recent surge in migrants crossing the border, coupled with the temporary closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry in December, added a sense of urgency to the budget discussions.

Despite earlier promises to address border issues, lawmakers found themselves grappling with uncertainties and a lack of transparency in the proposed budget.

As of September 2023, “Border Patrol agents have seized enough fentanyl to kill the entire U.S. population this fiscal year,” reported Fox News.

Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens said that agents seized more than 2,700 lbs of fentanyl just “between ports of entry.”

U.S. border officials apprehended more than 300,000 illegal immigrants in December 2023, which set a monthly record, The Guardian reported on Dec. 31.

The contentious environment comes after Hobbs vetoed a bill aimed at enhancing penalties for individuals convicted of selling fentanyl in cases resulting in death. The bill also intended to designate knowingly manufacturing fentanyl that causes injury to anyone under 15 as a Class 2 felony.

Hobbs contended that the bill posed a threat to a recently enacted good Samaritan law, which she had signed to extend legal protections for those intervening in opioid overdose situations.

While supporters of the vetoed bill argued that it would have acted as a deterrent against the illicit distribution of fentanyl, Hobbs urged the legislature to develop a more narrowly focused bill with a specific emphasis on the manufacture of fentanyl.