PHX Reporter

House Appropriations Chairman David Livingston has urged Governor Katie Hobbs to address a $122 million shortfall in Arizona's Developmental Disabilities (DDD) program. In a letter, Livingston criticized the Governor's administration for budget mismanagement and called for collaboration with the Legislature to find a solution.

Livingston said, "For the past seven weeks, I have held seven Appropriations Committee hearings, laying out in clear detail how your administration’s budget mismanagement is creating serious financial risks for the state." He expressed frustration over the lack of engagement from Hobbs' office, which he claims has opted for public statements instead of discussions.

The letter outlined several points of contention. Livingston attributed the DDD program's financial issues to unilateral decisions by Hobbs' administration without legislative consultation. He also criticized recent Democratic efforts to allocate additional funds without implementing reforms or accountability measures.

Furthermore, Livingston accused Hobbs' budget proposal of being unbalanced, excluding over $800 million in expenses. He emphasized that responsible government requires accountability and long-term planning.

Livingston concluded by urging Governor Hobbs to collaborate with Republicans on responsible budgeting to ensure necessary services for Arizona families without overspending.

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