Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a controversial housing bill that won bipartisan support in the Legislature, saying the measure would put Arizona “at the center of a housing reform experiment with unclear outcomes.” Hobbs’ veto of the Arizona Starter Homes Act on Monday was her second veto of the year. Perhaps reflective of intense debate over the bill and its efficacy at alleviating the state’s housing crisis, the governor waited until the last day allowed in the Arizona Constitution to act on the bill.“I was elected on a promise to bring thoughtful leadership to the Governor’s Office and always do the right thing for the people of this state, even when it’s hard,” Hobbs said in a statement. “Unfortunately, this expansive bill is a step too far and I know we can strike a better balance.”With her veto, the governor aligned with many municipal leaders and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, but also found herself under fire from some fellow Democrats who joined with GOP majorities to get the bill through the Legislature.The bill “was a historic bipartisan solution to our state’s housing crisis and it would have created a pathway to the American dream of homeownership that too many Arizonans find themselves locked out of,” state Rep. Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix, said in a statement. She said Arizona “continues to kick the can down the road” — a catchphrase Hobbs often used, and pledged to change, while running for governor in 2022.Over 90% of people who shared feedback on the measure called for a veto, according to Hobbs’ office. Her office said the Department of Defense and the Professional Fire Fighters Association of Arizona asked her to veto the bill. Those groups cited concerns about development in noisy or “accident potential zones” near Arizona’s military installations …
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