Sears Celebrates Bipartisan Budget Wins

PHOENIX – Senate Kiana Maria Sears (LD9) released the following statement in celebration of the Senate passage of the FY2026 budget package:  

“As Senator Sears approaches her 90th day serving in the Arizona State Senate, she wants to reaffirm how thankful she is for the opportunity to serve her district and her state. She believes that K-12, community college, and universities are the most important and impactful investment in Arizona’s future. As a proud public education advocate, she is happy that her and her Senate Democratic colleagues were able to champion the restoration of District Additional Assistance funds for K-12 education. Additionally, she is delighted that herself, a proud ASU Alumna, and her colleague Minority Whip Rosanna Gabaldón, a proud Wildcat, natural rivals, joined forces to prioritize investments in higher education, and deliver capital investment opportunities for our state universities. Senator Sears was also able to negotiate wins based on the overwhelming advocacy of her District's constituents, which included an additional $2 million dollars for Area Agency on Aging, $2 million dollars for Double-Up Bucks to continue to provide SNAP recipients with an extra incentive to purchase fresh, Arizona farm-to-table food, and $2 million for the Commission for the Arts. When Senator Sears entered office, she had her constituents come to her and advocate for the things that would make their lives better. She listened and was able to deliver. She wants to thank her constituents for their trust and support.”