The first month of Governor Hobbs
What was Gov. Katie Hobbs up to in January? Take a look.
I’ve continued my requests of Arizona’s statewide elected leaders’ public calendars and despite still never receiving any calendars from one official1, the current governor’s office sent me her calendar for January.
A reminder that it took until the final day of Governor Ducey’s term before I received any of his monthly calendars so this is at least a vast improvement. It took 24 days to receive.
Hobbs’ office is also sending weekly press emails which include some details about where she will be that week and if press is welcome. That’s at least one small good sign of transparency on the Ninth Floor
The first month as governor in Arizona is sure to be a busy time and Hobbs’ calendar shows as much. She made several stops throughout the state, met with a couple of lawmakers and conducted several interviews with the media.2
Here’s what I found most interesting about her January calendar:
Her office has a senior staff meeting almost every morning at 9am
She got lunch with City of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego at China Chili3 in Central Phoenix on Jan 3, Hobbs’ second day in office.
She met with the Romanian Ambassador for 10 minutes on Jan 9 right before delivering her State of the State address.
Twice did she have something listed as “Review agency directors.” Once on Jan 11 and another on Jan 18, which would have both been before the Arizona Senate set up an entire committee to vet her appointments.
On Jan 17, Hobbs interviewed a candidate for the State Land Department director position, but it doesn’t say who. The following week she appointed Robyn Sahid to the role.
She met with Maricopa County Board Chairman Clint Hickman later that same day on Jan 17 in the governor’s protocol room.
It looks like her first official flight was to Chinle on Sunday Jan 22 when she and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland went to the Navajo Nation
She met with Democratic Rep. Jennifer Longdon on Jan 23 for Moms Demand Action Day
She also met with Republican Sen. Ken Bennett, who like Hobbs was once Arizona Secretary of State, on Jan 26, but did not meet with any other lawmakers in January
In total, she interviewed with 13 news outlets: KOLD, ABC15, Good Morning AZ, KJZZ, AZ Cap Times, Sunday Square Off, NPR, KGUN, AZ Public Media, New Republic, Politics Unplugged, KTAR’s Gaydos and Chad and Arizona Republic, in that order.
There are many notable local outlets or journalists not listed, but that’s only for January not the year to date.
State Treasurer Kimberly Yee’s office has never sent me any records that I’ve requested since I launched in August. Not one, which is obviously a violation of the state’s public records law.
I’m thinking of starting a spreadsheet of media interviews with the governor to see if she plays favorites with any outlets that might go easier on her than others. All politicians have their favorites.
Great choice. It recently made the Arizona Republic’s list of top 100 restaurants in Phoenix.