NE Valley Times

Fountain Hills City Councilman Allen Skillicorn criticized Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs for seemingly taking credit for a tax rebate advocated by the Arizona Freedom Caucus. "Love how Hobbs is taking credit for the work of the AZ Freedom Caucus. Conservative ideas are so good, dems try to steal them after fighting against them. Conservative ideas just work better", said Skillicorn.

Governor Hobbs announced Arizonans could apply for a one-time Arizona Families Tax Rebate and stated, "I promised to make it easier for Arizonans to provide for their families and manage rising costs," according to platform X. She continued, "This week, I’m pleased to make good on that promise by announcing qualifying Arizonans can apply for our one-time Arizona Families Tax Rebate. These Family First Funds are a way to recognize your contributions to our thriving state, and I could not be more excited to put money back in your pocket."

The tax rebate was actually introduced by Senator Jake Hoffman of the Arizona Freedom Caucus, despite opposition from Governor Hobbs who favored a permanent tax rebate aimed at lower-income individuals. The proposal consisted of a $260 million one-time tax credit offering $250 per child under 17 and $100 for dependents aged 17 and older. Notwithstanding this, the Governor's office released a statement entitled "Governor Hobbs puts money back into Arizonans' pockets." To ensure that credit was not falsely claimed by the Democratic governor, specific language was included in the legislation according to reports by the Arizona Capitol Times.

The State Freedom Caucus is made up of organizations from across America affiliated with the House Freedom Caucus. They uphold principles detailed in the 10th amendment: "Those powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." The caucus pledges to "help establish State Freedom Caucuses (SFC) and provide the high-level staff, strategy, and community conservatives need to take ground across the country." In Arizona, Senator Hoffman chairs the caucus with State Rep. Jacqueline Parker serving as vice chair, both of whom are Republican lawmakers, according to information from the SFC.

Arizona Representative Joseph Chaplik also spoke out on this issue. "Everyone wants to take credit for the popular tax rebate that the AZ Freedom Caucus achieved, including Katie Hobbs who opposed it," said Chaplik according to platform X. He added that excess taxation should lead to money being returned back to taxpayers – a fundamental concept for responsible government.