Ducey says water, education, border are key themes of final state of the state address

Gov. Doug Ducey says water, education and the border will be key themes of his state of the state address on Monday.

The annual speech will mark the start of the Arizona Legislature's session and lawmakers are returning to the Capitol facing a brighter budget outlook than expected but also an ongoing pandemic, a drought and looming cuts to public schools.

The address will be Ducey's last as his second term as governor comes to an end.

The Republican governor would reveal few details about his plans for the session in an interview Friday with Arizona Public Media but touted the state's finances.

The state had a $700 million surplus as of October and $1.7 billion in additional "one-time" revenue, according to the Legislature's Finance Advisory Committee.

"Our financial situation has never been brighter," Ducey said.

However, schools could be forced to cut $1.2 billion in the coming months if a supermajority of legislators do not raise a constitutional cap on school district spending for the current year.

But while school officials have pressed the issue as an urgent one, Ducey did not take the same tone and would not say if he believes the Legislature needs to raise the spending cap.

"I'm going to be releasing my budget priorities a week from today, so you will be able to see where the governor's office is on this and I will continue to communicate with legislative leadership on where we can find common ground," he said.

Aside from continuing to encourage vaccination, the governor did not offer any particular policies to address the rising number of COVID-19 cases around the state and the omicron variant.

"The virus is transmissible. It's a contagious disease and you see these waves in different parts of the country at different times. Arizona's in one of those waves right now," he said.

While Ducey is beginning his final regular legislative session, candidates are already vying to take his place in a race that could have particular significance for the governor's role in certifying Arizona's presidential election results.

Ducey faced pressure from within his own party in 2020 not to certify President Joe Biden's victory in the state.

President Donald Trump even tried calling him as he formalized the results.

Asked if he is concerned that successors could use the office to manipulate the outcome of future presidential elections, Ducey said he trusts voters in choosing Arizona's next governor.

"I have confidence in the voters and that they will make the right decision and they understand the responsibilities in the governor's office," he said.

The governor added: "November is a long ways away."

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