Hobbs finds $1 million to cover Arizona state trooper overtime pay

Gov. Katie Hobbs directed the Department of Public Safety to spend $1 million to cover overtime payments as the agency deals with a state trooper shortage instead of signing a Republican bill that would have raided a consumer fraud protection fund to cover the costs.

According to a press release, the agency will use “savings from operational efficiencies” to cover the payments.

The announcement comes weeks after the Arizona State Troopers Association, the union representing DPS officers, wrote Hobbs a letter asking for $6.4 million this year to cover overtime payments and replace old vehicles.

DPS has faced a staffing shortage for years, which has led to a lack of backup for some troopers and no 24/7 coverage in some counties.

According to the union letter, the department has 438 total vacant trooper positions.

The Governor’s Office said the $1 million will pay for up to 14,000 overtime hours.

“Our Arizona State Troopers work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, often going above and beyond the call of duty,” Hobbs said in a statement. “I’m proud to work with Colonel Glover and the Department of Public Safety to immediately expand trooper overtime pay and deliver critical support to our State Troopers for the remainder of this fiscal year without new general fund spending.”

Republican lawmakers just sent Hobbs a bill backed by the Arizona State Troopers Association that would have given the department the full $6.4 million sought by the union.

Democrats at the legislature opposed the legislation, because it would fund DPS by pulling money away from a fund used by Attorney General Kris Mayes to combat consumer fraud. It would also allow DPS to retain its own outside legal counsel instead of relying on the Attorney General’s Office.

Jeff Hawkins, the association’s president, thanked Hobbs for approving money for overtime now.

“It is encouraging to see recognition of the current strain on the Department and the dedication of the troopers who continue to serve Arizona every day,” he said in an email.

But Hawkins said he still wants Hobbs to sign House Bill 2993, the larger funding bill Republican lawmakers approved earlier this week.

“While the $1 million will certainly help address some immediate overtime needs, the Department is still facing broader funding challenges that will require additional resources to fully stabilize operations and support our troopers in the field,” Hawkins said. “For that reason, I would still support the governor signing HB2993 as well. The bill would help provide the additional funding necessary to ensure the Department can continue meeting its public safety mission while supporting the men and women who serve across the state.”

A spokesman for Hobbs said the governor will not sign the bill, because it takes money away from the Consumer Protection-Consumer Fraud Revolving Fund.

“The governor identified a nonpartisan source for supplemental funding needed by the Department of Public Safety, and communicated such a suitable source to the Legislature in advance to the Senate voting on HB2993, unfortunately the Legislature chose to send a bill as is,” Christian Slater said.

Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D-Tucson) told KJZZ the Arizona Highway Patrol Fund would be a better source for the emergency funding for the Department of Public Safety.

Slater said Hobbs will take action on the legislation “in the coming days.”