Gov. Doug Ducey signed the Fiscal Year 2023 budget June 28, which he calls "a responsible package that pays down debt, secures our future and lays the foundation for even more growth — all while investing in the areas that matter most to Arizonans."
Arizona’s budget includes a $544 million investment in the Border Security Fund, delivering on a promise from his January State of the State that if Washington, D.C. will not do its part to secure our border, Arizona will.
“This landmark, bipartisan budget makes historic investments to secure Arizona’s future,” said Ducey. “We’re making fiscally-responsible decisions and targeted commitments that will leave a legacy long after this administration. With dollars to secure our border, record-investments in K-12 education, and significant infrastructure funding to pave the roads of tomorrow — this budget truly delivers for Arizonans. And it does so, while providing tax relief to our citizens, paying off debt, and topping off the state’s Rainy Day Fund. I’m grateful to all of the state lawmakers who put in the work to deliver a budget for all Arizonans. Many thanks to the legislative leaders and appropriations chairs for their unwavering leadership and support.”
This year’s budget makes improvements to Arizona’s K-12 education system. With an additional $1 billion in year-over-year spending, total K-12 spending for this year is $8.45 billion. As per pupil funding surges, Ducey said in a signing letter, “the classroom is exactly where this new funding should be directed by each school's governing board.”
The budget plan also enhances public safety and state trooper pay, expands a vital portion of Interstate 10, catalyzes the modernization of the State Parks system, pays down debt and saves for the future.
To sustain a growing Arizona, the budget includes the investment in strategic transportation initiatives. Ducey wrote in a signing letter that these investments will sustain Arizona’s economic growth.
To ensure every dollar spent is useful to Arizonans, the governor also line-item vetoed the following appropriation of the budget: House Bill 2862, page 85, lines 33 and 34. In a letter, the governor said, “This appropriation however has little support from the public and veteran community.”
