PHOENIX — The Arizona Senate approved a $17.6 billion state budget early Friday morning following a lengthy session that began the previous day. The spending plan now heads to the House of Representatives for final approval before it can reach Gov. Katie Hobbs’ desk.
Under state law, Arizona’s budget must be signed by June 30. The GOP-led Senate approved the budget bill package — covering areas from education to transportation — amid a tight legislative timeline.
Senate Republicans highlighted key allocations, including:
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$280 million for K–12 education,
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$180 million for health and welfare programs,
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$113 million for transportation projects,
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$78 million for public safety,
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$28 million for higher education, and
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$12 million for water infrastructure.
Senate leaders said the budget avoids tax increases while addressing priorities across party lines. Gov. Hobbs has previously criticized the House’s version of the budget, calling it “dead on arrival,” but Senate leaders expressed confidence in bipartisan support for their version.
The House is set to reconvene Monday to continue budget deliberations.