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In a series of vetoes late Friday, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs rejected a bill passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would remove all state funds from any school that had even one course the legislation declared unacceptable. That would have included anything that relates contemporary American society to whiteness, institutional racism, unconscious bias, gender identity, social justice, race-based reparations and gender-based inclusion, and that’s just a partial list.

Mesa Republican Sen. David Farnsworth said he wrote the proposal after reading a book in a course on cultural diversity he is taking at Rio Salado Community College.

Such legislative efforts, combined with President Donald Trump’s order to stop DEI programs or lose federal funding, led University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella to send a letter recently to Senate President Warren Petersen listing steps he’s taking to eliminate DEI at the university.

In her veto message, Hobbs did not address specific concerns raised by Farnsworth but instead focused on the effects the bill would have.

“Our state universities and community colleges play a vital role in developing Arizona’s workforce, improving our economy, and strengthening our qualify of life through transformational research,’’ she wrote. “Jeopardizing their state funding with a bill that lacks clarity attacks future stability and would lead to negative effects on the state’s workforce and economy.’’

All totaled, Hobbs on Friday found fault with 23 proposals that reached her desk, bringing her veto tally so far this ongoing legislative session to 75. That is two more than she issued during the entire 2024 session. Her record — in fact, the record for any governor in state history — is the 143 bills she vetoed in 2023.

Also getting her veto stamp Friday was a proposal by Sierra Vista Republican Sen. David Gowan to impose personal fines of $5,000 against any elected or appointed official who “knowingly and willfully’’ violates existing laws that preempt cities and counties from enacting any local regulation of firearms.

Hobbs called it unnecessary. “There are existing mechanisms to challenge city ordinances,’’ she wrote.

That’s true, according to Michael Infanzon, lobbyist for the Arizona Citizens Defense League, which has filed such challenges, most recently to a Pima County ordinance imposing a fine of up to $1,000 on people who fail to report the theft or loss of a firearm within 48 hours. And, in fact, a judge struck down that ordinance. But Infanzon said such rulings haven’t deterred officials in some cities and counties from continuing to enact restrictions. He said civil fines that officials would have to pay from their own pockets would make them think twice.

Hobbs also declined to be told by state lawmakers that she must “enforce, administer and cooperate with federal actions, orders and programs that relate to the enforcement of federal immigration laws.’’

That proposal was one of several being pushed by Republicans who say they want state and local officials to do all they can to help the Trump administration round up and deport those here illegally. This one, sponsored by Rep. Teresa Martinez, R-Casa Grande, not only would have imposed the requirement on the governor but also on the attorney general as well as all cities, towns and counties.

Hobbs called this, too, unnecessary.

“When I assumed the role of governor, I pledged to uphold both the U.S. Constitution and the Arizona Constitution, as did each of you,’’ she wrote in her veto message to lawmakers. Hobbs said she has worked with the federal government to secure the border, stop the flow of fentanyl and disrupt cartel operations.

But she said these are decisions that must be made locally.

“Arizonans, not Washington, D.C. politicians, must decide what’s best for Arizona,’’ the governor said.

Hobbs also rejected a related proposal that would have required county jails to daily transmit to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement the name, address, date of birth, gender and Social Security number of anyone arrested for certain offenses. These ranged from larceny and shoplifting to burglary, assault on a law enforcement officer and any other offense that resulted in death or serious bodily injury.

“Existing state law already bans sanctuary cities,’’ Hobbs wrote in her veto message. “I expect state and local governments to uphold the law and work with the federal government to secure the border. However, this (measure) places extreme burdens on local law enforcement.’’

Hobbs also objected to legislation crafted by Prescott Republican Sen. Mark Finchem putting new restrictions on unemployment benefits, payments available to lose their jobs through no fault of their own, including through layoffs. The cost is borne by a premium on employers, with the rates paid by each linked to how often they release employees.

Finchem’s proposal would have tightened some requirements for recipients to seek employment. But it also would have barred the Arizona Department of Economic Security from paying benefits until they checked, weekly, a series of state and federal databases.

“This legislation creates unnecessary delays for workers, burdens for employers, and costs for the state,’’ Hobbs wrote.

The governor also nixed legislation that would make voter registration rolls available on the internet.

Proponents said that would enable any individual to have access and report inaccuracies. But Hobbs said it “poses risks that the information will be misused or used for commercial purposes.’’

Hobbs also vetoed legislation that would make the “cast vote record’’ — essentially a digital representation of every vote cast — a public record. She said she believes it would put voter privacy at risk.

Also rejected were two measures making changes in groundwater regulation, as Hobbs said she is trying to work with lawmakers to come up with a comprehensive plan.

“I am disappointed that neither of these bills would move toward solving the water policy challenges that Arizona residents and communities are facing today,’’ she wrote. “To see more effort misspent on pointless bills that would only weaken groundwater protections is a continued affront to rural Arizonans who have asked their legislature for years to address rural groundwater challenges.’’

Other bills she vetoed Friday include:

— Allowing the state treasurer and public retirement funds to invest up to 10% of their holdings in “virtual currency’’ such as Bitcoin. “Arizonans’ retirement funds are not the place for the state to try untested investments like virtual currency,’’ the governor said.

— Prohibiting state agencies, boards, commissions and departments from using any programs on DEI in the hiring, training and promotion of employees. Hobbs dismissed the legislation as “Detrimental, Ineffective, Nonsensical, and Objectionable.’’

— Requiring school districts to prepare budgets for three years. “It would do nothing to improve the budgeting process for school districts,’’ Hobbs said.

— Eliminating the ability of transgender people to get an amended birth certificate. “I encourage the Legislature to focus on real issues that matter and impact people’s everyday lives,’’ she wrote.

— Mandating a minimum award of $2,500 for each violation of the Parents’ Bill of Rights, a provision in state law that guarantees parents can make the ultimate decisions on the upbringing of their own children. Hobbs said she didn’t want to do anything that might discourage children from seeking outside help.