(UPDATED) Leading Arizona Democrats Call on Congress to Not Gut Funding that Creates Manufacturing and Clean Energy Jobs in the Grand Canyon State

A report from the Arizona Commerce Authority, hardly a bastion of socialism and left wing liberalism, found that if MAGA Republicans follow through on their commitment to gut forward provisions like clean energy tax credits in the Biden/Harris Inflation Reduction Act, the Grand Canyon State will lose $58 billion in investments and 69,000 good paying blue, white, and green collar jobs.

Leading Arizona Democrats voiced their concerns about this potential damage to the states economy.

In a Gubernatorial press release, Governor Katie Hobbs stated:

“The Arizona Promise is built on creating opportunities for working-class Arizonans and growing our economy. Over the last three years, Arizona’s economy has boomed, and business investment and job creation have accelerated by leveraging federal tax credits created in the IRA. Since its passage, Arizona’s economy has attracted 134 existing, potential, and announced projects that would be affected by the repeal of federal tax credits. These projects together represent more than 69,000 existing and potential new jobs, and $58 billion in capital investment to grow the state’s advanced manufacturing, energy, technology, and infrastructure industries. The federal government should be working with us in furthering Arizona’s economic success, not undermining our growth.  

“Many Arizona communities are benefiting directly from these programs and businesses are choosing to build, invest, hire, and expand with these incentives. A repeal of the tax credits will jeopardize Arizona’s economic momentum and the jobs of Arizona workers. Making matters worse, rolling back these tax credits would drive up energy costs at a time when Arizona families are already struggling to make ends meet. By 2029, Arizona households would see an 11.4% increase in electricity costs, and commercial and industrial users would experience a 15.9% increase. Politicians in Washington, D.C., are already creating uncertainty with unnecessary tariffs and an escalating trade war. Ending these tax credits early would slow down job growth, drive up costs, and hurt the progress Arizona has made. As Arizona’s population grows and our economy thrives, now is the time to protect these federal investments and Arizona’s economic future.”

Responding to a request to comment, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said:

“Repealing clean energy tax credits would be a huge step back in Phoenix’s effort to unleash affordable, reliable energy while threatening thousands of good, local jobs. It would hurt our economic growth, raise prices for hardworking Phoenicians, and stunt the development of cutting-edge industries that are delivering clean energy at a time when demand is growing significantly. Our federal government should implement policies that make life easier for American families, and dismantling these tax credits would do just the opposite.”

Representative Yassamin Ansari wrote:

“What we have seen so far from the Trump Administration and House Republicans has been chaos and now they want to further jeopardize Arizona’s economy with cuts to jobs and historic investments. This is just bad policy. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues to secure Arizona’s investments and future.” 

In the same statement from Governor Hobbs, members of Arizona’s Democratic Congressional Delegation stated their perspectives.

Senator Mark Kelly offered:

“Arizona has worked to make sure we’re a great place to do business—with the help of both Democrats and Republicans over the years. Because of this we’ve benefitted more than other states from the Inflation Reduction Act’s renewable energy tax credits. We see it in the big solar and battery storage projects bringing low-cost, reliable power to the grid and in the dozens of companies who have invested to bring manufacturing here, creating thousands of good-paying jobs. Republicans’ plan to cut these programs will put thousands of Arizonans out of work and make energy prices go up. I’m working with Governor Hobbs and others to stop the bad Republican plan and protect Arizona’s economy.”

Senator Ruben Gallego conveyed:

“Trump and House Republicans promised to make life affordable. Instead, they’re actively cutting jobs. This isn’t just a tax plan—it’s a direct assault on Arizonans who simply want to get ahead and provide for their families. Slashing clean energy tax credit jeopardizes billions in investments by stalling our state’s economic momentum.”

Representative Greg Stanton relayed:

“If clean energy tax credits are repealed, Arizona loses out on tens of thousands of good-paying jobs and families’ energy bills go up. I want the industries of the future here in Arizona, not overseas.”