Republican lawmakers in Arizona are launching an investigation into Governor Katie Hobbs after a budget shortfall at the state’s child welfare agency, the Department of Child Safety (DCS). The DCS is requesting a transfer of funds from other programs to cover a budget hole in funding for group homes serving foster children. House Republicans are accusing the governor of fiscal mismanagement, pointing to this request as evidence.
Without the transfer, DCS will run out of money on March 24 to house children in group homes. Approximately 1,500 children could be affected, potentially being forced to leave their current facilities and sleep in welcome centers or DCS offices.
In response, Hobbs’ office has stated that DCS will not go bankrupt next week and defended the budget request as a routine process. Republicans are also raising concerns about a deficit in the state’s Division of Developmental Disabilities and past investigations into state-contracted group homes. The finger-pointing over disability funding issues continues, with both sides blaming each other for mismanagement and calling for additional funding.
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