At the start of this year’s budget negotiations, Arizona lawmakers faced a $1.8 billion budget deficit. This massive shortfall was created by Governor Ducey and Republican lawmakers, who passed a massive tax cut for the rich in 2021 and the out-of-control ESA voucher program in 2022. But Republican lawmakers refused to acknowledge that reality or entertain any ways to fix it. During this year’s negotiations, they rejected even small steps in the right direction, like preventing ESA vouchers from being used for luxury purchases.
Many pro-public education lawmakers, including multiple AEA members, fought tooth-and-nail during this session on behalf of Arizona educators and our students. Thanks to their efforts, the final budget deal protected K-12 education funding for the coming year, limited the STO voucher program, and lifted the school funding cap so that districts can actually spend the funds they’re appropriated.
But there’s only so much that pro-education lawmakers can do when they’re outnumbered by an extremist majority. This budget is a call to action – it’s up to us to elect a new legislature this November.
Make sure to check out and share our voting guide to the upcoming primaries, and look for another voter guide in October with guidance on the general election. Let’s elect new representation at the state capitol and start making Arizona a state that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
