Andy Biggs: Arizona needs new leadership to revive the American Dream

As a native of Tucson, I know how great Arizona is and what makes our state so special. It’s not just the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert or the striking sunsets; it’s the people who live and work here, striving every day to achieve the American Dream. It’s a goal that reaches across families of different backgrounds and political beliefs, inspiring our next generation to dream big and build their own future in this great state.

But under Katie Hobbs, achieving the American Dream in Arizona has become nearly impossible. Housing and utility costs continue to rise faster than our income, steady jobs continue to be eliminated, and our state’s fentanyl death rate is spiking unlike anywhere else in the country.

Instead of leading, Hobbs has failed to do anything for our state. She delayed tax benefits for Arizonans with three vetoes of tax cuts this year, shut down the construction of homes in some areas of Arizona and drove up housing costs, failed to negotiate for our state’s access to water from the Colorado River, and she’s been under criminal investigation for corruption and a pay-to-play scheme for the past two years.

Arizonans deserve better than Katie Hobbs, who has no plan and no vision for the future of our state.

My Lt. Governor nominee, Sine Kerr, and I are asking for your vote because we have a clear plan to restore the American Dream in southern Arizona and across our state. We’ll be a voice for every Arizonan, no matter what zip code you reside in. You don’t have to wonder where we stand on issues or how we’ll get things done; it’s laid out on our website, just as we’ve taken our message to voters in meet-and-greets, interviews, and town halls across Arizona.

Water is the top issue I hear about from voters across the state, and it’s because Katie Hobbs has failed to lead. Arizona has a water management challenge, not a water shortage crisis.

I’m going to put Sine Kerr, an expert in water policy from her time as Chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, in charge of developing a statewide plan that balances the needs of suburban communities and our agriculture industry that remains critical to the health of rural Arizona. My Colorado River Basin legislation will pass through Congress before I take office as Governor, and we’ll use the $19 billion in funds to invest in water infrastructure needs, from water storage to desalination opportunities.

We’re going to put more money in your pocket by gradually eliminating the state income tax to attract businesses and spur our economy. We’ll bring down gas prices by stopping our state’s dependence on California for fuel and expediting pipelines from Texas while applying for EPA waivers that exclude us from a costly summer fuel blend.

We’ll lower housing costs by reducing permitting red tape and building more homes as part of our reforms to the State Land Department. This goes hand-in-hand with getting more money into public schools as part of a Prop. 123 renewal that promotes better stewardship of our state’s resources and a greater investment in teachers and students. At the same time, we’ll always defend school choice and the ESA program for parents who know what’s best for their children’s unique needs.

The Border Strike Force will be brought back as we work with local, county, state, and federal law enforcement groups to keep our communities safe and crack down on the fentanyl dealers who are harming Arizonans. We’ll also promote health freedoms by recognizing the rights of parents to make the best health decisions for their families and bring more transparency to government by requiring the disclosure of political donations made by state contractors vying for taxpayer dollars.

Our state’s challenges are real, but our ability to overcome them is wired into our core. Every Arizonan deserves to live in a safe neighborhood with secure access to water, a steady, well-paying job, and the ability to choose a school that works for their children. That’s what the American Dream is, and that’s what Sine Kerr and I will work for every day as your Governor and Lt. Governor of Arizona.