PHX Reporter

The Arizona House of Representatives has announced the first meeting of the newly established House Ad Hoc Committee on Executive Budget Mismanagement. The committee, chaired by State Representative Matt Gress, will convene on Thursday, April 3, at 8:30 a.m. in House Hearing Room 4.

During the meeting, the committee will receive a presentation from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) regarding growth in the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and recent policy changes. Discussions will also include state agencies addressing the Section 1115 waiver process and program scope for Home and Community Based Services within DDD. Scheduled speakers are Carmen Heredia, Director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), and Michael Wisehart, Director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). Additionally, Idaho State Representative Megan Blanksma will provide testimony about her state's management of its developmental disabilities program.

"This committee was created because Arizonans deserve answers," said Chairman Gress. "When basic financial management is ignored at the highest levels of the Executive Branch, it puts essential services at risk. We’re here to follow the facts, uncover the truth, and hold this administration accountable—because taxpayers deserve transparency, not surprises."

The full agenda for the meeting is available online. Members of the public and press can view a livestream through a provided link.

Speaker Montenegro formed this committee following financial issues within Governor Hobbs' administration. Recently, legislative Republicans intervened to prevent bankruptcy in the Department of Child Safety’s Congregate Care program by directing existing funds to be used. Similar budgetary challenges have occurred in both the Developmental Disabilities program and AHCCCS.

Committee members include Republican Representatives Matt Gress (Chair), Justin Olson (Vice Chair), Michael Way, Nick Kupper, Neal Carter, Selina Bliss; and Democratic Representatives Nancy Gutierrez, Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, and Quanta Crews.

Matt Gress represents Legislative District 4 in Phoenix as a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives and serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Education.

Information from this article can be found here.