[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6357673,"mediaKeyId","2213808-18afeda5adc92e96406eedf2ddd43b58","parentId",2213808,"title","Lawmakers press DES over $122 million DDD supplemental as parents-as-paid-caregivers program drives costs","audioSeconds",989,"startMs",531000,"endMs",1520000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213808-18afeda5adc92e96406eedf2ddd43b58&start=531&end=1520","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213808-18afeda5adc92e96406eedf2ddd43b58/thumbnail_531000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6357673/Arizona/Lawmakers-press-DES-over-122-million-DDD-supplemental-as-parents-as-paid-caregivers-program-drives-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357673-d6c303b326ff917e6d4994bf8cacc0b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775309555&Signature=GFkfTw46sxOpWMlpBNXzeVJHXoUmllx5vyt3wAI1tCNfhGJdfVXMglFvGAeCo6UBhZVVaySSU7w3JmmJIzHiFNurwfpILVBAIa18FqFvYJHP6RkfjEksT6zuO~x4TWDJUkW0zCbhVxn15Ey6eNxa59tmAWrz5iAzaqs7uS6yCfWueaRMce5vil6TOifMWO01ZoeeOqJRVhL179puPVObDbKhV4rsNZf-oPOqKCinNPEBOUdE66ucgw0zFGTXBKyy-y4eXffmeOFg~QOLZzUGURj4-jiq1Im3b5T2Vqqe4-Wqs47WCxAPEUxxpba2sBF3mXroGbkdoIJVSxK-2njWEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arizona State Legislature","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","The House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 29 spent extended time on funding shortfalls in the Department of Economic Security’s Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), with officials warning the division will run short of cash in the spring unless the Legislature provides supplemental funding.

JLBC staff and DES officials told members the executive branch’s FY2026 proposal includes roughly $356 million in ongoing additions for DDD and a $122 million supplemental for FY2025. Chandler Koiner of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) said a recent capitation-rate increase began the federal fiscal year and that JLBC estimates about $76 million of the FY2025 supplemental relates to above‑budget capitation growth; Koiner identified the Parents as Paid Caregivers (PPCG) program as a major driver.

Wes Fletcher, deputy director of operations for DES, said the $122 million supplemental package includes multiple components and that, based on current trends, the department expects to “run out of cash sometime within May” and “will not be able to make the June capitation payment” absent additional appropriation. Fletcher told the committee the department is examining encounter data and cashflow to narrow the date but asked legislators to treat the funding request as urgent.

Molly McCarthy, DES deputy director for programs, confirmed that PPCG—originally funded with 100% federal pandemic-era funds and subsequently extended—was approved by federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to be permanent after a waiver process. McCarthy said the shift from 100% federal funding to the regular Medicaid match means the state now bears a significant portion of the program costs.

Members sharply questioned why DES implemented the rate increases that the Legislature had not appropriated and whether the governor’s office and Access (Arizona’s Medicaid agency) coordinated with the Legislature before PPCG became permanent. Several legislators pressed for specific timelines and for DES to return with proposals to reduce program growth if the state cannot fund the full executive request.

Committee members asked for written materials, regular cash-status reports and options to reduce DDD spending if the supplemental is not approved. DES officials said some program reductions—such as changing the waiver or limiting parental provider eligibility—would require changes to Access contracts and federal approvals and could take months to implement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","01/29/2025 - House Appropriations","oneSentenceSummary","Legislators pressed state officials Jan. 29 over a large funding shortfall in the Department of Economic Security’s Division of Developmental Disabilities, with DES warning it may run out of cash “sometime within May” unless the Legislature provides a supplemental appropriation.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Arizona, Arizona","taxId",78572,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6357677,"House committee recommends $1 million for Colorado River legal defense funding",178,50000,228000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213808-18afeda5adc92e96406eedf2ddd43b58&start=50&end=228","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213808-18afeda5adc92e96406eedf2ddd43b58/thumbnail_50000.jpg","/articles/6357677/Arizona/House-committee-recommends-1-million-for-Colorado-River-legal-defense-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357677-3cea78dc6eccb9dfc945bc3af4dd6d5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775309554&Signature=AE7AuWGAXJvs0hfWhm-bXU11q2hmPJyvbULpDURLObtsBlLMVpr2sca8Y2nnNN4vFxKwrsnKIJHpjZwhyneey17tZzhfsRDxzfWAEVDbTeXb41x6C6gjhpYVQL~xEu0Hxzy3oypqGMOnW6SQIjPinmCideVK2RBpvMrgzPRyuMfQqRySOsU~AJ2TdG8jNG4uhqVUsVmIKwWtRLbBtF9EgTETNYr~RMYmZWDqAqq5D9vcAHot6ivNUtbLDHkxIPuUVVxOGWWoVfCx97gCrbR5N51iK6ytFOAvfAxOWvq0p17H0iFBiUly~O-TFtuYXAdOrJmad5rOOzgRs7xCRjRRuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arizona House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 29 recommended House Bill 2103, which would appropriate $1 million in federal funds for the Arizona Department of Water Resources to defend and enforce the state's allocation of Colorado River water.

Sponsor Rep. Regina Griffin told the committee the appropriation is a “protective defense” to preserve the state's Central Arizona Project allocation if negotiations or cooperative agreements break down. Griffin said the department’s director has “met and successfully defended our use of Colorado River water” and that the appropriation would preserve the state’s ability to take legal action if necessary.

Ben Alternator, chief legislative liaison for the Arizona Department of Water Resources, testified in support and said the department hopes not to use the appropriation but wants “to be prepared to defend its Colorado River entitlements and apportionments should the need arise.” Alternator described ongoing multistate negotiations and noted that several Colorado River agreements and related compacts and contingency plans expire in 2026.

Committee members asked about the near-term drivers of potential litigation. Alternator summarized the issues as long-term drought, an oversubscribed river and expiring agreements, and said federal administration of some aspects is handled through the Bureau of Reclamation and the Interior Department’s special master for the river.

By roll call the committee gave HB2103 a due-pass recommendation (tally: 14 yes, 0 no, 4 not voting). The bill was reported out of committee for further House consideration.","The Arizona House Appropriations Committee gave HB2103 a due-pass recommendation to appropriate $1 million to the Arizona Department of Water Resources to defend the state's Colorado River allocation; sponsor and agency officials said the funds are a contingency if negotiations fail as a set of river agreements expire in 2026.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6357657,"Committee advances bill to return I‑10 widening to earlier construction schedule",300,7919000,8219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213808-18afeda5adc92e96406eedf2ddd43b58&start=7919&end=8219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213808-18afeda5adc92e96406eedf2ddd43b58/thumbnail_7919000.jpg","/articles/6357657/Arizona/Committee-advances-bill-to-return-I10-widening-to-earlier-construction-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357657-079438edd775a799988f9440ef105417/orig.mp4?Expires=1775309554&Signature=dvjc4wQ7CoFSvflYhARNGEY3Oreu9PmT78odqdbu1MYgAUvar8dT4Tz8zx2yC2G3UVN1r3mV0qXVKhfFMzhuuvhXDZiq1QUZ6NA6KUOZHl~v5HaiOlDZvfOJilQJsTsDHE9iNF~A2cFivaFEzbMohRDOV2LbuRPABw0bQmy14oDk3gCGklf8y5E5Z1sKS5MegxJA1OCMdkhWPTk~2Enf-sKJ2NjND-NLAFtxTT040GhGbRVOLA2IyZI97oYIC72OGXdVDniNOY26QB7Q3KkA3XA3gWrLRyZ2uOojI6A-aW75lW3cook67ZOVnXKScZgbx7kMIio1ZAUvcz8NhMRy~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 29 voted to recommend House Bill 2192, as amended, which appropriates state general-fund dollars to accelerate the Interstate 10 widening project between State Route 85 and Citrus Road and directs ADOT to use construction-manager-at-risk or design‑build procurement methods to expedite work.

Sponsor Rep. Jeff Livingston said he had deferred this project in last year’s budget to help balance the state budget but is now seeking to restore funding to move the project forward sooner. After an amendment the committee adopted, the bill appropriates $40 million in FY2026 and additional amounts in later years to resume design and construction activity; committee discussion noted inflation-driven cost increases for highway projects.

City and regional officials testified in favor. Jack Lunsford and John Raeder of the city of Buckeye said the corridor carries heavy commuter and commercial traffic and that the project is shovel-ready: the design phase is nearing completion and construction could be bid this fall if funding is available. Rep. Michael Carbone and other committee members emphasized traffic safety, commercial mobility and the regional economic importance of the corridor.

By roll call, the committee recommended HB2192 as amended for passage (tally: 16 yes, 0 no, 1 not voting). The bill moves next in the legislative process and will be considered in the House and during budget negotiations.","House Bill 2192, amended in committee, would appropriate state funds to restart the I‑10 widening project (SR‑85 to Citrus Road) earlier than the current plan. Sponsors and West Valley officials said the project is shovel-ready and that delay increases costs and congestion for commuters and commercial traffic.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6357662,"Committee backs $400,000 to restore Address Confidentiality Program funding",188,7463000,7651000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213808-18afeda5adc92e96406eedf2ddd43b58&start=7463&end=7651","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213808-18afeda5adc92e96406eedf2ddd43b58/thumbnail_7463000.jpg","/articles/6357662/Arizona/Committee-backs-400000-to-restore-Address-Confidentiality-Program-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357662-2158c05b417625556860bff554afae47/orig.mp4?Expires=1775309554&Signature=otWsWN6IFrhagDj8eNzvgEFBT3FrpXNrkhL31WGqrKC3G50j9I9UhthCA6KXA1BUeGZtqvcvQr7IojMJ7~ZN39V4ajf-RaRG6JvEBQ1OCic~kU1Z053g~y28~VDS56~qU-x6oi7EXhrSVBurMza-6KpATsh8ARjcGcOgRrZULbSQ-EeC4psHVAf5IMIw8ZVlOeRQFQzmrqlMb5jfVKtRQX9q~H5ovCnS0kiF50u3FoElBQdZkxqo9VP44et8qCmMvHyKnpSTQtT8Gpaiyn~Ce~yp0XnYhZU-tL0lPSfuM83LPBbF3eKYSkwR6sFlAXrebA54Zl8Ac5jhB8nRaR1eOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 2177 received a due-pass recommendation from the House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 29. The bill would appropriate $400,000 from the state general fund to the Address Confidentiality Program, with the sponsor and agency asking that the appropriation be considered ongoing.

Rep. Maricela Willoughby, the bill sponsor, said the program helps victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses and stalking by routing mail through a secure address and shielding participants’ home locations from public records. George Diaz from the Secretary of State’s office told the committee the program lost federal grant funding, caseloads have increased and postage costs have risen; the Secretary of State’s office had previously obtained a one-time $400,000 grant from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission to cover the gap.

By roll call the committee recommended HB2177 for passage (tally: 17 yes, 0 no). The sponsor asked budget negotiators to treat the appropriation as ongoing funding moving forward.","The House Appropriations Committee gave a due-pass recommendation to HB2177, which would appropriate $400,000 to the state Address Confidentiality Program to replace lost federal grant funds and cover caseload and postage increases.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6357668,"Child-welfare officials warn of shortfalls for congregate care and Guardian IT maintenance",2079,5135000,7214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213808-18afeda5adc92e96406eedf2ddd43b58&start=5135&end=7214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213808-18afeda5adc92e96406eedf2ddd43b58/thumbnail_5135000.jpg","/articles/6357668/Arizona/Child-welfare-officials-warn-of-shortfalls-for-congregate-care-and-Guardian-IT-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357668-740fd3e9786e5e3c5b0dc5d608276645/orig.mp4?Expires=1775309554&Signature=Dbwf5eBLeilSh9Q093L3qzweJmVckzscJOPOH~leyq3j5Sepy1gtP9HKK1qBTgOeyZPVlwvBe7blVwa4Sq0yyWNH6vs~BuiuiwOFJwqmTZOrF0HNb3omgzw2KVSNZRqLm57vZloaxqWtx6LKpIprsAsCM3HF3me4oRVVrvcaPV72bTj1parz9AMb6obYg8-je5EECZgZ4-c4u7ZJGLHqtuISacywIOtT7dv6zEw22R8-C6ATV891GYXaCWLePDpMXQ8wssRB1vF3XWQk33PpH22krE5AxiPhL01yfVuIPsm9zMxQBfuFE-lpdMTDEqGcwJ4XgYcVwL2X5h27vJrCnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Child Safety officials told the House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 29 that the agency faces budget pressure in congregate care and information-technology maintenance and is seeking both supplemental and ongoing funds.

DCS Deputy Director Alex Ong said the executive recommendation includes $2.32 million ongoing for increased congregate-care costs in FY2026 and $2.94 million supplemental for FY2025 tied to contractual rate increases and caseload dynamics. Ong said the department has reduced the number of children in congregate care but still faces costs for placements that are not eligible for Title IV‑E federal reimbursement after 14 days under the Families First Prevention Services Act.

Ong warned that if the supplemental request is not funded, DCS “will not be able to pay our group home providers” and that the department may have to stop accepting children into out-of-home care. He said the agency has used one-time sources and vacancy savings to cover ongoing Guardian maintenance costs, but is requesting $11 million (general fund) in FY2026 for Guardian operations and a companion $1.56 million authority of TANF funds in FY2025 to cover immediate needs.

Committee members asked for precise cut-off dates and timelines; Ong said DCS has been communicating monthly cash-status reports and that some placement and contract decisions were taken to avoid losing bed capacity. Members asked DCS to provide additional detail on contract expirations, RFP timelines and potential program reductions that could be used to reduce the department’s budget pressure.","The Department of Child Safety told the House Appropriations Committee it needs a $2.94 million FY2025 supplemental and a $2.32 million ongoing increase to cover congregate-care costs, and requested funding for Guardian maintenance; agency officials said failure to act could disrupt payments to group homes and hamper placements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers press DES over $122 million DDD supplemental as parents-as-paid-caregivers program drives costs

House committee recommends $1 million for Colorado River legal defense funding

Committee advances bill to return I‑10 widening to earlier construction schedule

Committee backs $400,000 to restore Address Confidentiality Program funding

Child-welfare officials warn of shortfalls for congregate care and Guardian IT maintenance