TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – What is now a difference of opinion, could blossom into a full-blown feud between Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and AG Kris Mayes.
Both are Democrats.
They are at odds over the $1.1 billion opioid settlement which the state is dispersing to cities, towns, and counties to combat the opioid scourge.
It’s part of a federal settlement won by the government over the industry’s deceptive practices.
The rift is the result of a $1.4 billion budget deficit the state needed to cover to balance its budget, which is required by law.
Of all the things lawmakers did to balance the budget, the most controversial was shifting as much as $75 million from the opioid settlement to plug a hole in the Department of Corrections.
Mayes was not happy with the decision saying it could cost the state the entire settlement.
She released a statement which reads in part:
“I am extremely disappointed our Democratic Governor, along with GOP leadership at our State Legislature, would put our $1.14 billion, 18-year opioid One Arizona Agreement at risk by attempting to sweep opioid funds to backfill budget deficits caused by GOP policies. Though I repeatedly warned them this is an unlawful use of these funds, they proceeded with moving forward anyway. I am beyond thankful to the legislators who spoke up on this issue and who understand the dire need to use these funds in the manner and intent they are meant to be used for. I have stated publicly and very clearly that I refuse to release these funds in this way as it would violate the agreement, and I stand by those words today. This is an egregious grab. I will do everything in my power to protect these opioid settlement funds for all Arizonans.”
Mayes believes the sweep could endanger the settlement for Arizona.
Several state lawmakers say they were informed the decision had been resolved but were surprised to find hours later that it had not been.
For Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, a District 21 Democrat from Tucson, the opioid transfer was a deal breaker and was, in part, why she voted no on the entire budget package.
“And when I found out it wasn’t resolved, you know, there’s just that, it’s frustrating,” she said.
And because of it, she’s squeezed between Hobbs and Mayes.
“I’m going to err on the side of a conservative interpretation,” she said. “And I understand the governor’s office probably has a more generous interpretation which makes me uncomfortable because there is so much money at stake.”
At least $100 million of that settlement money is supposed to come to Tucson and Pima County, which have decided to join forces and use the money through the Pima County Health Department.
They signed an Intergovernmental Agreement last month touting that agreement as the first step towards a significant battle over the fentanyl scourge, which is contributing to a record number of overdose deaths in the city and county.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero touted the agreement at a meeting on May 6.
“With the opioid settlement money that both the city and county is receiving, it really is the beginning of the concerted effort,” she told the council.
But now that concerted effort may be in jeopardy if what Mayes says about the funding being at-risk is true. The county was equally happy it had a pot of money to make a difference.
“I think everybody deserves our best efforts to help them get off of these substances,” said District 2 Supervisor Dr. Matt Heinz. “And absolutely everything we can do to keep those substances from getting here in the first place.”
While some in the county feel there is no reason for concern because the state says the money swept is the state portion of the settlement and not the money allocated for cities and towns, others said if Mayes is right, it’s a reason for concern.
“We’ve got people relying on those funds to implement rehabilitation services, treatment services. things that are going to make people’s lives better,” Stahl Hamilton said.
This afternoon the Mayesoffice said “it is studying its options to stop the sweep.”
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