Petersen: Senate Republicans to focus on affordability

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(The Center Square) - Arizona state Senate Republicans will focus on affordability for families this legislative session, according to Senate President Warren Petersen.

The Arizona Legislature is beginning an anticipated 100-day legislative session. The session will start Monday afternoon with opening ceremonies in the Senate and House and Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' State of the State address, which will be covered by The Center Square.

Besides affordability, Senate Republicans will also prioritize “public safety in our communities, and a fiscally responsible budget that protects taxpayers while keeping Arizona competitive and free,” Petersen, R-Gilbert, told The Center Square.

He added that Senate Republicans are still “in the process of drafting bill language.”

“Look for legislation supporting our men and women in public safety, efforts to make our elections more efficient and secure, bills to shrink government and tackle fraud,” he said, answering The Center Square's questions by email.

“We’re also sending measures to the ballot allowing voters to decide on banning photo radar and [whether to prevent] biological males from using women’s restrooms and locker rooms,” the Senate president noted.

Last week, Senate and House Republicans introduced a tax plan estimated to save Arizonans $1.1 billion over the next three years.

Petersen told The Center Square that this tax plan advances “one of the largest tax cuts in state history to complement President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill – helping our citizens keep more of their hard-earned paychecks.”

Regarding spending, Arizona’s general fund has increased 44% from fiscal year 2015 to fiscal year 2025, according to Common Sense Institute Arizona. The general fund went from $32.8 billion to $66.2 billion.

Petersen noted Senate Republicans will be taking a “careful look at spending growth, prioritizing core responsibilities of government and pushing back on unnecessary government expansion so taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and transparently.”

The Senate president added that Republicans in the Senate and House “are aligned” on “protecting taxpayers, strengthening public safety, protecting individual rights and keeping Arizona competitive.”

“We will continue working closely to advance those shared priorities,” he said.

Last year, Arizona passed its fiscal year 2026 budget of $17.6 billion days before a state government shutdown. Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed two of the state House’s budget proposals before she signed the state Senate’s budget proposal.

To avoid last-minute budget negotiations, Petersen said budget discussions are “starting earlier” this year. These discussions will have “clear expectations” and be “disciplined to “avoid the uncertainty and last-minute brinkmanship that we saw last year,” Petersen noted.

“The speaker [Steve Montenegro, R-Surprise] strengthened the House leadership team with some key staff appointments back in November, so I’m confident the budget process will be smoother,” he added.