Tough on Crime, Easy on Taxpayers: Arizona House Republicans Release New Budget Plan

Arizona House Republicans introduced a new budget proposal this week that prioritizes public safety, education affordability, and conservative fiscal management. The package, outlined in bills HB2947 through HB2961, reflects key components of the House Republican Majority Plan and has been framed as a “structurally balanced, law-and-order” approach to governance.

Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro called the proposal a “sound, disciplined budget that delivers safe communities, strong families, and a government that lives within its means.”

“Our plan puts the needs of Arizona families first,” Montenegro said. “We’re raising pay for our state law enforcement officers, reducing tuition at public universities, fully funding school choice, fixing critical infrastructure and roads, and protecting taxpayers. Our budget reins in government and puts it back to work for the people it serves.”

Budget Highlights

The proposed budget includes a number of investments and reforms intended to address public safety, education, and infrastructure, while maintaining fiscal responsibility:

• Public Safety Boosts: A 5% pay increase is proposed for both Department of Public Safety (DPS) and corrections officers, aiming to improve recruitment and retention at a time when law enforcement agencies nationwide are facing staffing challenges.
• Infrastructure Investments: $94 million has been allocated for infrastructure improvements, with key projects including upgrades to Interstate 10 and Highway 347—critical transportation routes for commuters and commerce in the state.
• Affordable Higher Education: In a move to combat rising education costs, the budget reduces tuition at Arizona’s public universities by 2.5% and freezes tuition rates for the next three years.
• Support for School Choice: The plan fully funds Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, which allows families to use state funds for private or homeschool options. The proposal also includes steps to eliminate the application backlog that has delayed services for families seeking alternative education options.
• Family Support Measures: The budget proposal continues to fund the “Parents as Paid Caregivers” program, providing support to families who care for children or adults with developmental disabilities. Developmental disability services would also receive continued financial support.
• Adoption Incentives: A proposed expansion of the adoption tax deduction seeks to reduce financial barriers for families pursuing adoption.
• Election Integrity: To ensure accurate and up-to-date voter rolls, the budget includes funding to improve election system maintenance and data accuracy.

Conservative Principles at Work

The proposed budget is aligned with the Arizona House Republican Majority’s guiding principles—limited government, fiscal responsibility, and family-focused policy. Montenegro emphasized that this budget avoids unnecessary growth in government and instead channels resources toward key services.

“This is a budget that reflects our values,” he said. “We believe in safe neighborhoods, quality education, accountable government, and supporting families—not expanding bureaucracy.”

The full details of the proposed budget can be explored through the official package of bills (HB2947 through HB2961).

Watch the statement from Speaker Montenegro outlining the highlights and rationale:

As the legislative session moves forward, the budget proposal is expected to ignite debate at the Capitol. While Republicans tout it as a long-term, fiscally responsible plan focused on safety, opportunity, and family support, Democrats have voiced strong reservations. They argue the proposal leans too heavily into ideological priorities, particularly by fully funding school choice programs like the ESA, which they believe diverts resources from traditional public schools still struggling to meet basic needs.

Critics on the left have also raised concerns about the lack of corresponding investments in healthcare, housing, and other essential services, questioning whether tax cuts and tuition reductions alone can deliver lasting impact. Election system funding, too, has drawn scrutiny, with Democratic lawmakers calling for more transparency and safeguards to maintain public trust. The debate is far from over, but one thing is clear: both sides are gearing up for a high-stakes negotiation over Arizona’s future.