Gov. Doug Ducey signed the state’s $11.8 billion operating budget on Saturday, just days after Arizona legislators approved a slimmed-down version that is designed to boost the state's economy during the coronavirus pandemic.
Legislators adjourned after passing the budget as a public health precaution, but are expected to reconvene by mid-April.
“This is not the budget we envisioned in January," Ducey said in a letter to state lawmakers on Saturday. "But our world has changed. We are facing the realities of a public health emergency, and our priorities and our decisions have had to adjust accordingly.”
Ducey also praised both Republicans and Democrats for working across party lines and uniting for the common good to ensure timely passage of the budget.
“Proactively addressing this remains our top focus, and this bipartisan budget reflects that,” he said.
The budget includes $50 million in relief to address health care issues related to COVID-19, as well as the economic burden caused by the spread of the virus.
To prevent the spread of the virus, businesses have adjusted hours with a skeleton staff, while others have been forced to temporarily close their doors and lay off employees.
As of March 16, an estimated 30,000 Arizonans applied for unemployment benefits, which caused the system to crash, the Arizona Republic reported.
Meanwhile, Ducey and state lawmakers eyeing to reconvene by Monday, April 13 have promised to do more to help Arizonans and expand the already signed budget.
In his letter, Ducey said legislators would have a lot of tough decisions when they reconvene in the coming weeks and begin to fully understand the economic impact of COVID-19.
“People who have never asked for anything from the government have lost their jobs and lost their incomes, and they need our help,” Ducey said. “It’s our responsibility as public servants to answer that call, and I know we will.”
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