Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed the Arizona Starter Homes Act, a controversial housing bill that received bipartisan support in the Legislature. The governor expressed concerns about the measure potentially putting Arizona in the middle of a housing reform experiment with uncertain outcomes. This move marked Hobbs’ second veto of the year and was made after significant debate surrounding the bill’s effectiveness in addressing the state’s housing crisis.
The veto was supported by many municipal leaders and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, but faced criticism from some Democrats who helped pass the bill. While supporters argued that the bill would increase affordable housing options and reduce regulatory barriers to homebuilding, opponents, including the mayors and vice mayors of several cities, viewed it as one-sided legislation that would benefit developers at the cost of municipal zoning laws. Hobbs’ veto decision illuminated the ongoing tensions between state and local authorities over housing policy.
Following the veto, Hobbs faced pressure to find alternative solutions to the housing crisis, which she has prioritized during her time in office. Despite calls for collaboration between state and local officials on housing policy, disagreements persisted over the bill’s implications and potential impact on private property rights. The veto underscores the complexities of housing policy in Arizona and the ongoing debates over the role of state government in addressing housing affordability and accessibility.
