Arizona Republican and Democratic lawmakers set their agendas for the 2025 legislative session

Republicans and Democrats at the Arizona Capitol both want to address the cost of living and border security this year, but the parties differ on the policies they want to implement to achieve those goals.

“Public safety is non-negotiable,” said House Majority Leader Michael Carbone (R-Buckeye). “Whether securing our southern border, fighting fentanyl, or ensuring law enforcement has the resources they need, we will take action to protect every Arizona community.”

The Arizona House Republican’s policy agenda includes a focus on implementing Proposition 314, the voter-approved measure modeled on Texas’ SB4 that would give local sheriffs the power to enforce immigration law.

Politics

The Prickly brief: These issues will likely dominate debate in the Arizona Legislature in 2025

Ben Giles

A new year means a new legislative session for Arizona lawmakers returning to the Capitol in Phoenix. Political editor Ben Giles catches up with field correspondents Camryn Sanchez and Wayne Schutsky for a debrief on the topics and issues — some prickly — that will likely dominate debate this year.

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Democrats also said border security is important but focused squarely on combatting cartel activities and drug trafficking — something also listed as a priority by their Republican counterparts.

“When it comes to the border and immigration, what House Democrats are for is a balanced approach that secures the border, cracks down on the cartels, takes fentanyl off our streets while respecting the dignity and the human rights of every single human being within the state of Arizona,” said House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos (D-Laveen).

Prop. 314’s border enforcement provision can’t actually be enforced until a court allows the Texas law to take effect. Senate Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan (D-Tucson) also called the new law an “unfunded mandate,” because it did not include new monies for the local law enforcement agencies charged with enforcing it.

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs plans to ask for more funding to continue a program using National Guard troops to assist in operations targeting drug trafficking near the border.

Both parties also promised to address the rising cost of living in Arizona.

“Our vision and our agenda is built on three foundational pillars, first, preserving the American Dream, also promoting public safety and protecting individual rights and liberties,” House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-Goodyear) said.

Republicans plan to cut back on regulations like air quality permitting and local development reviews, moves they say will help businesses and speed up construction of affordable housing. Legislators already passed bipartisan legislation last year to streamline homebuilding, though not all of those measures made it past Hobbs’ veto pen.

Carbone also said Republicans want to lower taxes in Arizona two years after they successfully cut the state’s income tax for all residents to 2.5% — a change that disproportionately benefited the wealthiest Arizonans.

The new Republican also calls to remove taxes on tips, echoing one of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign priorities.

Democrats also want to improve affordability for Arizonans.

“These priorities are necessary now more than ever, because for too long, powerful special interests have held control over the state and over this Legislature, leaving every day working families behind,” De Los Santos said. “It is time to put working families first.”

That includes cutting child care costs and expanding access to affordable healthcare for low-income families, De Los Santos said.

Republicans increased their majorities in both chambers in the November election and now hold a four-vote majority in the Senate and six-vote majority in the House.

“The voters of Arizona entrusted House Republicans with a strong majority, and we are ready to lead with strength, with purpose and a clear commitment to the people of Arizona,” Montenegro said.

But De Los Santos said he is confident Democrats can accomplish their goals even though they lost seats at the Legislature, because the Republican caucus is fractured, with different wings like the far-right Freedom Caucus pushing their own agenda.

“And so the fact of the matter is that Democrats, time and time and tilisme again, have flexed their power here in this Legislature, forged bipartisan compromises, and we're going to do it again,” De Los Santos said, pointing to compromise legislation passed over the past several years, including two straight bipartisan budgets and a deal to extend a transportation sales tax in Maricopa County.

The Arizona Freedom Caucus held its own press conference announcing its agenda separate from other legislative Republicans.

Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek), the Freedom Caucus chairman, said those priorities include shrinking the state budget and aiding in the federal effort to deport unauthorized immigrants.

But Hoffman said the group’s top priority will be thwarting Hobbs and other elected Democrats.

“But the single most important task that we will work on over the coming two years that will produce the greatest positive benefit for the people of Arizona possible is our efforts to fire Katie Hobbs, Kris Mayes and Adrian Fontes in the 2026 election,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman said Arizona voters handed Republicans a mandate when they increased the GOP’s controlling majorities in both chambers at the Arizona legislature last year.