The Arizona Legislature meets today to consider an alternative budget if voters do not pass Prop. 100 - the temporary 1 % sales tax referendum - in a special election on May 18. For more information, see Prop. 100 - Your Questions Answered .
Cuts to K-12 education since the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year total $424 million, which means our schools have already been cut to the bone. Many Arizona schools are dealing with the loss of teachers; increased class sizes; cuts to extra-curricular activities and athletics; and the loss of P.E., music, librarians, counselors, books and even paper.
If the Sales Tax Passes
Even if the sales tax passes, there will still be further cuts to K-12 education, based on the budget being considered by the Legislature. These include:
- The loss of funding for all-day Kindergarten; gifted programs, summer school, after-school programs and preschool programs.
- Reduced funding for the second consecutive year for basics such as textbooks, computers and equipment for students.
- Suspension of funding for school building maintenance and repair for the fourth year in a row.
The Alternative Budget
If the Prop. 100 does not pass, additional state budget cuts starting in July could total $900 million, including an additional $400 million in cuts coming from K-12 schools and $100 million from universities and community colleges. For more, see the Arizona Daily Star, Ariz. lawmakers to consider budget-balancing plan.
Are Arizona Legislators Following Their Oath?
With cuts to education this deep, it is questionable whether legislators are following their oath to uphold Arizona's Constitution, which calls for the "development and improvement" of public education.
The Arizona Constitution ensures the funding of public education:
Aricle 11, Section 10 states that the "legislature shall make such appropriations, to be met by taxation, as shall insure the proper maintenance of all state educational institutions, and shall make such special appropriations as shall provide for their development and improvement."
Arizona Auditor General Report on Classroom Spending 2009: A Closer Look
AEN has analyzed the recently released Auditor General's Report on Arizona Classroom Spending for 2009. Classroom spending has become a "hot potato" issue because of the restrictive definition of "classroom spending". While classroom teachers, instructional supplies, and aides are included in the classroom spending figures, positions such as librarians, counselors, and nurses are not. Also the inclusion of Proposition 301 money for teachers is disputed.
The Auditor General's Report leaves out two important factors - cuts by the Legislature to K-12 education funding and a precipitous fall in the Proposition 301 sales tax funds available for the Classroom Site Fund (CSF) To read more click here.
News Under the Radar
House Rejects Private School Tax-Credits Income Limits; Drops Attempts to Increase Dollar Amount
The House rejected an effort to put income limits on the private school tax-credit program, refusing to establish a "means test" or income requirement for those applying for private school scholarships paid for by the tax-credit program. The private school tax-credit program, which was established to create choice for those with limited means, starts to run the risk of looking like, as Representative Steve Farley called it, "welfare for the rich". Click here for the full article.
Arizona Doesn't Make Race to the Top Cut
The Department of Education announced on March 4, 2010 that Arizona was not chosen for the first phase of the federal Race to the Top grant, resulting in the loss federal funds to benefit Arizona public education. Click here for details.
Four steps you can take to support public education in Arizona: Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote!
- Vote YES if your district is holding an override or bond election on Tuesday, March 9th (tomorrow).
- Vote YES on Prop. 100, the sales tax referendum, Tuesday, May 18th.
- Vote for pro-education candidates in the Primary Election, Tuesday, August 24th.
- Vote for pro-education candidates in the General Election, Tuesday, November 2nd.
Helpful Links:
AEN Voter Guide
Find your Legislator
Take care,
Melissa, Ann-Eve, MaryLee and your AEN team
PS. Check us out at:
• http://www.arizonaeducationnetwork.com/
• Follow us on Twitter, AZEducationNet
• Join us on Facebook!
AEN is a non-partisan, all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that exists to provide factual information and advocacy for public education.
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Education is important especially to children. we should never let this cut off happened vote for this act. You’ll help save a lot of kids from illiteracy.
ReplyDeleteThey say children are the hope of the future and it’s true. But without education this is all useless. Help support this act and vote for your children’s future.
ReplyDelete