Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Vetoes Education Bills Over Transparency, Library Funding, and Adoption Mandates

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs used her veto pen this week to reject three Republican-backed education bills that would have required public school districts to share more information about executive compensation, barred libraries from supporting professional associations, and mandated adoption education in classrooms.

The vetoes come amid an intensifying battle over education policy in the state, with tensions running high between Democratic Gov. Hobbs and Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne over accountability in the voucher program and school governance.

Superintendent Salary Transparency Bill

HB 2075, sponsored by Republican state Rep. David Livingston, would have compelled all public and charter school districts to submit the contracts for their superintendents, assistant superintendents and chief financial officers to the Arizona Department of Education as public records.

In her veto letter, Hobbs said she rejected the bill because it doesn't cover all education options in the state, citing its "robust school choice environment."

"This bill fails to ensure that all options in the marketplace are held to the same level of transparency," the Democrat wrote.

The veto drew immediate criticism from State Superintendent Tom Horne, who called it "outrageous" and "a slap against accountability."

"This had support of both Republicans and Democrats, but the governor used her veto pen to make sure taxpayers are kept in the dark," Horne said.

Horne cited an ABC15 investigation that found one Arizona school superintendent could earn about $475,000 this year in salary and other compensation. The ABC15 investigation obtained contracts of more than 100 Arizona district school superintendents and found dozens could make more than $300,000 in base pay and extra compensation.

The ABC15 investigation also found several states have laws requiring school districts to post superintendent contracts or salaries on their websites.

"We have a lot of great superintendents, but, as an example, is there one who makes $400,000 plus benefits and is allowed to run side businesses. Taxpayers have the right to know that," Horne said. "District superintendents, their various assistants and chief financial officers should be accountable to the taxpayers who pay their salaries."

Hobbs did not directly mention Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, or ESAs, the voucher program that lets families use taxpayer dollars for private school tuition or homeschooling expenses. However, Hobbs and Horne have clashed over accountability for ESAs in the past.

Hobbs has called for the state to "tackle the waste, fraud and abuse" in the voucher program. Horne released a statement saying the veto is a "slap against accountability."

Library Funding Bill

HB 2008, dubbed the "Library Freedom Act," would have barred public school libraries from paying for certain professional associations, specifically calling out the American Library Association.

The bill passed the Arizona Senate along party lines on April 1.

In her veto letter, Hobbs wrote: "Knowledge is power, not a weapon, and at a time when literacy rates are on the decline nationwide, I will not support legislation that deprives our children of the resources they need to reach their full potential."

The American Library Association has faced criticism from conservative lawmakers over its book selection guidance and tracking of banned books across the country. Alabama, Wyoming, Missouri, Texas and Florida have all cut ties with the group, according to Politico.

Horne did not issue a statement specifically on the library bill veto.

Adoption Education Mandate

HB 2040 would have required public educational institutions to include adoption information when discussing contraception, sexually transmitted diseases or sex education in the classroom.

Rep. Rachel Keshel, who sponsored the bill, called it "real pro-choice."

"It seems to me to be more pro-abortion and not pro-choice," the Tucson Republican said. "And we don't talk enough about the other choices that people might have."

Keshel said she heard from a young woman who told the story of having an abortion at age 16 because she thought there was no other option. "These young women don't even realize the potential for them to actually look into the option of adoption," Keshel said.

The measure drew a skeptical response from Rep. Nancy Gutierrez.

"What this bill does is it talks about adoption as an alternative to contraception," Gutierrez said. "And that, she said, is a flawed approach."

Isela Blanc, community and legislative liaison for the Arizona Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, also spoke against the bill at a recent hearing.

She said it "does not improve education. It adds another layer of compliance to an already unworkable system and further discourages schools from offering any form of sex education instruction at all."

"We should focus on solutions that will actually lead to placing more children into safe and loving homes instead of placing onerous burdens on public education institutions that require adoption information to be provided in inappropriate settings," Hobbs wrote in her veto letter.

Hobbs also said she is "fully supportive of efforts to bolster adoption rates," saying that is why she has increased financial support for foster care families and children.

Jodi Liggett, representing Reproductive Freedom for All in Arizona, testified when the measure was heard in the House Education Committee.

"That strikes us as irresponsible," Liggett said. "That concept of adoption as an alternative to contraception also draws criticism from Jodi Liggett representing Reproductive Freedom for All in Arizona."

"Awareness of adoption law means nothing to a student who's trying to use medically accurate information about a sexually transmitted infection," Liggett said. "And it's even less relevant in STI tests."

Six Bills Total

Hobbs vetoed six bills total this week, including the three education measures discussed above.

She also vetoed:

• A bill that would have barred Arizona banks from using "social credit scores" in lending decisions
• A bill that would have changed notice requirements for school district bond elections
• A bill that addressed zoning appeals

The social credit score ban veto drew particular attention. Hobbs vetoed this measure for a third time.

"This bill is unnecessary and marks my third veto for this poorly constructed and unnecessary policy change," she wrote in her veto letter.

Education Policy Battle Continues

These vetoes come at a time when education policy remains one of the most contentious issues in Arizona politics.

Teacher pay, Proposition 123 renewal, and voucher program reform are among the biggest education issues facing the state right now.

Proposition 123, which would have provided $1 billion in education funding, is unlikely to be renewed this year, according to Republican lawmakers.

The vetoes highlight the ongoing ideological divide over education policy in Arizona, with Democrats focusing on school choice and Republican lawmakers pushing for increased transparency and accountability measures.

Whether the Legislature will attempt to override these vetoes remains to be seen.