The “tax” was thrown out after driving up housing costs on Arizonans
GILBERT, AZ—Another harmful housing policy of Katie Hobbs was thrown out by a Maricopa County Superior Court judge this week, marking the second time in the past month a Hobbs edict on housing was ruled illegal.
Judge Scott Blaney ruled that the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) did not have the authority to place an additional “tax” on homebuilders to show access to water past the current law of a 100-year supply before receiving a permit.
A previous ruling in a separate case stated Hobbs’ ADWR homebuilding moratorium in parts of Maricopa County was also illegally instituted.
Arizona has seen its national affordability ranking tumble to 45th, a drastic drop driven by higher housing and utility costs stemming from Hobbs’ policies.
“Once again, Katie Hobbs’ harmful housing policies are being struck down in the courtroom because she doesn’t know how to govern,” said Andy Biggs, frontrunner for the Arizona Republican gubernatorial nomination. “These policies have hurt Arizonans by driving up housing costs and making it tougher for homebuilders to provide choices for homebuyers. Arizonans have felt our cost-of-living skyrocket under Katie Hobbs and its because she’s prioritizing her own agenda ahead of the needs of young families looking to buy a home. As Governor, we’ll remove the red tape and barriers holding up the construction of homes and drive down costs for Arizonans.”
