DUNCAN — Governor Katie Hobbs toured Greenlee County on Friday, visiting the mine in Morenci and making stops at Duncan High School, Duncan’s newly refurbished Veteran’s Park and the Duncan Senior Center.
“As governor, I want to make sure that we’re investing across the state, and creating opportunity across the state. So kids, like the kids I talked to at the high school today, can grow up here, see a future here, see an opportunity and raise their families in the community that they love.”
She heard about the need for more funding for public schools, the need to help teachers with health insurance, and the need for transportation funding, especially for seniors in rural communities.
She said that investment in public education translates into a prepared workforce, which will increase economic development across the state.
She touted her administration’s increase in affordable housing starts, and she addressed President Trump’s recent statements that it is not the federal government’s job to fund health care and day care for Americans.
“With all due respect, the president is dead wrong,” Hobbs said. “It is the federal government’s responsibility and it’s been a partnership between the federal government and the states. It’s really unfortunate that this president doesn’t see it this way.”
She said Arizona has seen the nation’s steepest decline in SNAP benefits and is anticipating a significant drop in Medicaid funding.
“Which isn’t just going to affect those beneficiaries; it’s going to affect everyone who gets their health care from health centers or hospitals that rely on Medicaid dollars to stay operating,” Hobbs said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Hobbs is also running for re-election, and she held a campaign meet-and-greet with about three dozen voters at the Graham County Democratic Headquarters in Safford.
After her speech, Lyla Lester, a freshman at Safford High School, asked the governor’s input on a presentation she will make at the FCCLA national finals in July.
She said she will be presenting on alternative forms of discipline in schools.
“Rather than just traditional detention,” Lester said. “Things like restorative programs (and) self-regulation practices that students can learn and use for the future.”
Hobbs’ background is in social work.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
