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The “Defund the Police” movement has resulted in a proposed bill in Arizona that prohibits cities and towns from reducing their police budgets, with the risk of losing their state shared revenue. The bill, House Bill 2120, is sponsored by first-term Republican lawmaker David Marshall and passed its first committee by a party-line 8-7 vote. This proposal raises questions about its legality and the exact problem it is addressing, as Arizona is not currently considering defunding its police departments and in fact, police budgets are more likely to grow than shrink.
“Defund the Police” Bill Forbids Arizona Cities from Reducing Police Budgets
A new bill in response to the “Defund the Police” movement has been introduced in Arizona. House Bill 2120 prevents Arizona cities and towns from reducing their police budgets below the previous year’s level, at the risk of losing state shared revenue. Sponsored by first-term lawmaker David Marshall, R-Snowflake, the bill passed its first committee hurdle via an 8-7 party-line vote.
Defunding Police in Arizona: A Reality?
Defunding police, a concept that gained momentum following the murder of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter protests, involves diverting funds from police departments to social services. Cities like Los Angeles, Portland and Austin made such changes, leading to varying outcomes in terms of crime rates. However, Arizona’s political climate differs significantly from these places. Activists pushing for defunding or abolishing police forces in Arizona have found little support among policymakers.
Police Budgets in Arizona Likely to Increase
Recent election results reflect a resistance to defunding police in Arizona. Voters in Maricopa County twice rejected a progressive Democrat for county attorney who supported diverting police funds to mental health services. Furthermore, police budgets in the state are more likely to expand due to technological needs and considerations for new tools.
Objections to the HB 2120 Ban
While House Bill 2120 aligns with some Republican lawmakers’ inclination towards imposing state control over local matters, it has met with opposition. Critics view it as a preemptive move to discourage cities and towns from contemplating police budget reductions. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns has voiced objections to the bill, as have residents who believe it undermines their ability to address their community’s policing and public safety needs.
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