For Immediate Release
Contact: AEA Communications Director Emily Kirkland, [email protected], 646 623 5271
ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE WAIVES EDUCATION FUNDING CAP
PHOENIX – With the passage of HCR2001 by the Arizona State Senate a few minutes ago, the education funding cap (also known as the aggregate expenditure limit or AEL) has officially been waived for the 2022-2023 school year. The bill, HCR2001, passed the Arizona State House yesterday and does not need to be signed by Governor Hobbs.
"Failing to lift the education funding cap would have closed schools across the state and plunged communities, families and businesses into chaos. It was never an option," said Marisol Garcia, President of the Arizona Education Association.
“Unfortunately, a small group of lawmakers chose to play political games for months, creating completely unnecessary anxiety and confusion. We are grateful to Representative David Cook for his leadership on HCR2001 and to all the state legislators who voted to end the infuriating uncertainty over the funding cap.”
HCR2001 passed the Arizona State Senate by a vote of 23-7, with all Democrats voting in favor along with 9 Republicans. Although HCR2001 waives the education funding cap for this year, the cap will remain in place for subsequent years.
“We are glad that the education funding cap is no longer an issue for 2022-2023,” said Garcia. “But our state legislature ultimately needs to eliminate the cap entirely, so that we are not forced to have this same fight year after year. Educators are signing contracts for the 2023-2024 school year right now, and the constant, looming possibility of months-long school closures only makes it that much harder for schools to retain qualified and passionate educators."