Republicans in the Arizona House introduced their own state budget proposal, even though they have not been involved in negotiations taking place between Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and Senate Republicans.Rep. Matt Gress (R-Phoenix), who helped craft the bills, said Republican leaders planned to hold a vote on the spending package on Friday.Republicans hold the majority in the House and could force through their budget package, but critics say it has little chance of reaching Hobbs’ desk.“This so-called Republican budget in the House is a sham, a joke and a farce,” said Rep. Oscar De Los Santos (D-Laveen), the House Democratic leader. “Frankly, the House Republicans have been missing in action at the negotiating table for weeks.”Last week, both Hobbs and Sen. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) confirmed that House Republicans were not involved in ongoing budget negotiations taking place between Senate Republicans, Democratic lawmakers and the governor’s office.“[It’s] the first time in 20 years the House is not aligned with the Senate, and then proceeded to negotiate as a team with the governor,” Kavanagh, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said.Hobbs’ office criticized House Republicans’ decision to introduce their own budget outside of those ongoing negotiations.“This is DDD all over again,” Hobbs spokesman Christian Slater said, referencing a prolonged fight between the governor’s office and House Republican leadership over funding for care for Arizonans with disabilities earlier this year.Both sides eventually came to a compromise on that issue, but not before Republican lawmakers, namely Gress and House Appro …
