FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Senator Jake Hoffman Issues Statement on
Monday's Committee on Director Nominations
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Monday's Committee on Director Nominations revealed some concerning issues with Katie Hobbs' nominee for the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA), Elizabeth Ann Thorson.
After lengthy testimony, it was quite apparent that Ms. Thorson does not know what the Hobbs Administration's vision is for ADOA. Ms. Thorson confirmed during testimony that Hobbs' plan was never discussed. This is incredibly troubling, considering ADOA houses specialty divisions that keep our state safe and protected from risk and liability.
What's even more bothersome is when questioned about Katie Hobbs' decision to block $210 million in federal COVID grants authorized by former Governor Doug Ducey for good causes and organizations that the people of Arizona benefit from, including summer school, Ms. Thorson testified that she was not included in those conversations. As someone charged with overseeing ADOA, Ms. Thorson should have been one of the first to know what Katie Hobbs' intentions, motivations and actions on the issue were, as well as any potential fallout.
Additionally, Katie Hobbs made it abundantly clear while campaigning for Governor that she wants specific pro-abortion directors to oversee Arizona's Department of Health Services, the Department of Administration, and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. This signaled to me and my Republican colleagues on the committee that she is trying to craft policy that conflicts with laws enacted by the Legislature and will potentially use taxpayer funds for abortions. This would be an extreme and inappropriate overreach from Katie Hobbs.
Personnel is policy. Therefore, we are holding Ms. Thorson's nomination so that we can monitor her work and her engagement, or lack thereof, on policy with Katie Hobbs. The Committee on Director Nominations will review Ms. Thorson at a later date, which has yet to be determined.
###
For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov