PHOENIX – Arizona Education Association President Marisol Garcia released the following statement in response to the passage of the 2023 budget:
“There’s a lot to like in this budget–and one major disappointment. We’re glad to see the repeal of inequitable results-based funding, an increase to the base school funding level, and a one-time infusion of $300 million into K-12 public schools. These investments will translate into higher educator pay, better benefits, smaller class sizes, and other improvements, helping us keep highly-qualified educators in Arizona’s schools. We’re also happy to see a long-delayed and much-needed $340 million investment in school facilities. Finally, it’s great that the legislature has preemptively waived the school funding cap (also known as the Aggregate Expenditure Limit or AEL) for next year, avoiding a completely unnecessary political fight over whether school districts can spend the money they’ve already been appropriated.
At the same time, it’s extremely frustrating that this budget does not address the growth of the state’s out-of-control voucher program. The extremist majority in our state legislature has ignored the will of Arizona voters and pushed through policies that bankroll private schools for the wealthy at the cost of the public schools attended by 90% of Arizona kids. Vouchers will cost the state more than $600 million this year alone. This unchecked spending is completely irresponsible and is on track to bankrupt our state. The fight to repeal vouchers during next year’s legislative session starts today.”
