Warren, Borrelli, Hatathlie, Biasiucci, and Ortiz Speak Out Against League

Earlier this month, the Arizona legislature passed HB2570, dubbed the “Arizona Starter Homes Act” to help Arizona homebuyers, especially first-time buyers. Sponsored by House and Senate Majority Leaders Biasiucci and Borrelli, respectively, the bill is receiving unexpected pushback from the Arizona League of Cities and Towns. This leads to concerns that Governor Hobbs may add this to her increasingly long list of vetoed bills. The league’s Executive Director, Tom Belshe, posted in multiple outlets that his organization has refused to negotiate any state-mandated changes in how many homes can be built on a property and associated issues like setbacks.

“Zoning is something that we cannot support,” he said. “And we told them from the beginning.”

His comments sparked a cascade of responses from Republican and Democrat lawmakers.

Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) replied, “The Governor is out of excuses to not sign this bill. The League just made their intentions clear. The Governor needs to do the right thing here to make housing more affordable and stand up to the League lobbyists whose only objective is to ensure nothing gets done at the legislature.”

Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli stated, “The League wants status quo, and this admission is proof. Clearly status quo isn’t working when the Governor’s own administration says we are 270,000 housing units short. Let’s see who the Governor picks: the League who created this mess, or the thousands of Arizonans who are locked out of housing and the American dream.”

Senator Theresa Hatathlie (D-LD6) added, “Your home is your sacred place. It’s where you raise your family and care for your elders. I’m tired of the League and their lobbyists who come here, year after year, to deny these opportunities for the people that I represent. Enough is enough. Please sign the Arizona Starter Homes Act, Governor.”

House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci (R30), one of the bill’s sponsors, stated, “We have been working with stakeholders on housing for over three years, trying to bring solutions to help Arizonans live out their American dream. We have reached out to the League multiple times throughout negotiations and were told repeatedly that they would not negotiate this bill.”

In addition, Representative Analise Ortiz (D24) added, “The Arizona Starter Homes Act is the only bill that provides homeownership opportunities to my community. The League’s unwillingness to negotiate on this bill from day one has been a slap in the face to all of our working-class families, including teachers, firefighters, and service industry workers. I’m tired of the League’s inaction that’s hurting my community and just kicking the can down the road.”

You can read the March 13, 2024, Senate press release here. Earlier this week, the bill was transmitted to Governor Hobbs for her signature.