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Thursday, April 15, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
"Walk the Vote, Rock the Vote" for Prop 100 a Success for Vail Parents & Education Supporters
From Kristi H. of PAVE:
If you are or know of a Vail parent/resident who is looking for more information on how to get involved in supporting Vail schools and/or Prop 100, visit: http://www.citizensofvaileducation.info/.
For more information on the May 18 Special Election for Proposition 100, visit: Proposition 100: The 1% Temporary Sales Tax -- Your Questions Answered!
Reminder: April 19th at midnight is your last chance to register to vote in the May 18 Special Election on Proposition 100! To learn more about registering to vote, click here.
The PAVE group (Parent Advocates of Vail for Education) did their "Walk the Vote, Rock the Vote" event in Vail on Saturday, April 10 [a grassroots, door-to-door campaign to educate voters on the May 18 Special Election for Proposition 100, the temporary 1% sales tax]. KGUN 9 covered the event and aired it at 5pm. Although we only got a brief mention, it was good exposure for the cause.
We covered about half of the Vail School District area Saturday with a total of about 100 volunteers. Rock on, Vail!!! Most volunteers had great success spreading the word about Prop 100 to receptive homeowners. There were a few people who said they were planning to vote no, but most people were supportive.
We feel very good about Saturday's results, but the fight isn't over yet! Over the next weeks leading up to the election, we would like to have phone banks, another walk, and mailers, and continue to spread the word over email and social networking sites as well as by phone and face-to-face interactions.
Saturday's event proves that parents have a strong voice and we will continue to be heard!!! :)
If you are or know of a Vail parent/resident who is looking for more information on how to get involved in supporting Vail schools and/or Prop 100, visit: http://www.citizensofvaileducation.info/.
For more information on the May 18 Special Election for Proposition 100, visit: Proposition 100: The 1% Temporary Sales Tax -- Your Questions Answered!
Reminder: April 19th at midnight is your last chance to register to vote in the May 18 Special Election on Proposition 100! To learn more about registering to vote, click here.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Passage of Proposition 100 Will Save 13,000 Jobs, UA Study Predicts
On May 18, Arizonans will vote on whether to approve Proposition 100, a temporary one-cent increase to the state sales tax that will help address the state’s budget deficit.
A new study by researchers at the Economic and Business Research Center at the University of Arizona finds that a yes vote on Proposition 100 would save more than 13,000 jobs and preserve more than $442 million in federal matching funds for Arizona.
Proposition 100, sent to the ballot by the Arizona State Legislature, asks voters to raise the state sales tax by one penny to to 6.6 cents per dollar for a three-year period. The sales tax would revert to 5.6% on May 31, 2013. Estimates provided by Gov. Jan Brewer’s office indicate the sales tax would generate $918 million in revenue each year.
The researchers concluded the revenue would provide significant economic activity throughout the state.
“Those dollars don’t disappear,” said Alberta Charney, senior research economist at the UA. “The government spends the money, thereby pumping it right back into the economy.”
The Arizona State Legislature has already passed, and Gov. Brewer has signed, more than $867 million in cuts to education, public safety, health care and other state services if Proposition 100 does not pass. In this case, the Arizona university system would face a $107 million budget reduction, $42 million of which would go to the UA.
These cuts, the study found, also would trigger the loss of more than $442 million in federal matching funds, which are primarily allocated to the Department of Health and the Department of Economic Security. “The extent of the federal dollars being lost was a surprise,” Charney said.
Charney and her colleagues reviewed state agency budgets in detail to examine how funds are spent. They used a model that tracks the nature of spending by state agencies, projections of revenue generated by Proposition 100 and proposed budget cuts.
According to Charney, many of the jobs that would be saved are in the private sector, which would benefit from the increase in individual and agency expenditures made possible by the funds generated by the sales tax.
The researchers cite three primary reasons that a cut in the state government budget would generate a greater impact than an increase in the sales tax rate.
First, the government is a service provider and, generally, employs more people per $1 million in expenditures than do non-service providers. Consequently, a larger portion of government expenditures is paid as labor income than other sectors of the economy.
Second, more than 10 percent of the sales tax would be paid by out-of-state visitors.
Finally, the sales tax would be imposed primarily on the sale of tangible goods, few of which are actually produced in Arizona.
Even if Proposition 100 passes, the state faces a massive budget deficit that will require additional major cuts.
“You don’t grow your way out of this structural deficit as the economy recovers,” said Marshall Vest, director of the UA Economic and Business Research Center. “This is an important first step to addressing this structural deficit.”
The study does not account for additional impacts of dramatic cuts to K-12 and higher education, public safety and other state services–all of which are likely should Proposition 100 fail.
“We only looked at the flow of the money. We didn’t look at the long-term consequences of a drastically cut education system,” Charney said.
Vest believes voters will have an opportunity to communicate the value they place on services provided by the state: “I think we are the point where taxpayers are going to have the opportunity to connect the dots between the taxes they pay and the benefits they receive.”
CONTACT: Alberta Charney (520-621-2291; acharney@eller.arizona.edu)
LINKS:
What Will It Cost If Arizona Voters Reject the One-Cent Sales Tax Hike On May 18, 2010?
Sales Tax Increase vs. Expenditure Cuts: An Economic Impact Study
Comparison of UA, REMI, and STAMP Simulations of Tax/Spending Increases
Related Articles:
Proposition 100 — Your Questions Answered
A new study by researchers at the Economic and Business Research Center at the University of Arizona finds that a yes vote on Proposition 100 would save more than 13,000 jobs and preserve more than $442 million in federal matching funds for Arizona.
Proposition 100, sent to the ballot by the Arizona State Legislature, asks voters to raise the state sales tax by one penny to to 6.6 cents per dollar for a three-year period. The sales tax would revert to 5.6% on May 31, 2013. Estimates provided by Gov. Jan Brewer’s office indicate the sales tax would generate $918 million in revenue each year.
The researchers concluded the revenue would provide significant economic activity throughout the state.
“Those dollars don’t disappear,” said Alberta Charney, senior research economist at the UA. “The government spends the money, thereby pumping it right back into the economy.”
The Arizona State Legislature has already passed, and Gov. Brewer has signed, more than $867 million in cuts to education, public safety, health care and other state services if Proposition 100 does not pass. In this case, the Arizona university system would face a $107 million budget reduction, $42 million of which would go to the UA.
These cuts, the study found, also would trigger the loss of more than $442 million in federal matching funds, which are primarily allocated to the Department of Health and the Department of Economic Security. “The extent of the federal dollars being lost was a surprise,” Charney said.
Charney and her colleagues reviewed state agency budgets in detail to examine how funds are spent. They used a model that tracks the nature of spending by state agencies, projections of revenue generated by Proposition 100 and proposed budget cuts.
According to Charney, many of the jobs that would be saved are in the private sector, which would benefit from the increase in individual and agency expenditures made possible by the funds generated by the sales tax.
The researchers cite three primary reasons that a cut in the state government budget would generate a greater impact than an increase in the sales tax rate.
First, the government is a service provider and, generally, employs more people per $1 million in expenditures than do non-service providers. Consequently, a larger portion of government expenditures is paid as labor income than other sectors of the economy.
Second, more than 10 percent of the sales tax would be paid by out-of-state visitors.
Finally, the sales tax would be imposed primarily on the sale of tangible goods, few of which are actually produced in Arizona.
Even if Proposition 100 passes, the state faces a massive budget deficit that will require additional major cuts.
“You don’t grow your way out of this structural deficit as the economy recovers,” said Marshall Vest, director of the UA Economic and Business Research Center. “This is an important first step to addressing this structural deficit.”
The study does not account for additional impacts of dramatic cuts to K-12 and higher education, public safety and other state services–all of which are likely should Proposition 100 fail.
“We only looked at the flow of the money. We didn’t look at the long-term consequences of a drastically cut education system,” Charney said.
Vest believes voters will have an opportunity to communicate the value they place on services provided by the state: “I think we are the point where taxpayers are going to have the opportunity to connect the dots between the taxes they pay and the benefits they receive.”
CONTACT: Alberta Charney (520-621-2291; acharney@eller.arizona.edu)
LINKS:
What Will It Cost If Arizona Voters Reject the One-Cent Sales Tax Hike On May 18, 2010?
Sales Tax Increase vs. Expenditure Cuts: An Economic Impact Study
Comparison of UA, REMI, and STAMP Simulations of Tax/Spending Increases
Related Articles:
Proposition 100 — Your Questions Answered
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Proposition 100 Debate/Panel Discussion: April 11, 2010
Proposition 100 Debate/Panel Discussion
April 11, 2010 at 6:30 pm
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KUAT-TV is sponsoring a debate/panel discussion on Proposition 100 called "Arizona's Sales Tax: Fix or Folly" at 6:30 p.m. this Sunday, April 11, at the Stevie Eller Dance Theater, 1713 E. University Blvd. (On the UA Mall, just west of Campbell.).
Representing the pro-temporary sales tax view is Ann-Eve Pedersen from the Arizona Education Network, with the opposing view represented by Farrell Quinlan, the Arizona State Director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Stan Reynolds, Vice Dean of the Eller College of Management, will also participate as a neutral economist.
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Confirmed media panelists for the forum include Jim Nintzel from the Tucson Weekly, Linda Valdez of the Arizona Republic and Tom McNamara from KVOA-TV Channel 4. Bill Buckmaster from Arizona Illustrated will moderate the forum.
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Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited and on a first come basis.
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The public can ask questions during the event as well as submit them in advance by emailing
questions@AZpublicmedia.org and online at the Arizona Public Media Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/azpublicmedia.
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The forum will be broadcast live on PBS World Channel 27.3 (Cox 83 and Comcast 203). It will also stream live on the web at http://ondemand.azpm.org/live/
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Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Legislative Newsletter April 6, 2010
 |
Arizona Education Network Find Out What Happens in Your School District if Prop. 100 Fails Tuesday, April 6, 2010 |
What Happens In Your School District If Prop 100 Fails: Contingent Cuts to Arizona School Districts Do you know how your school district will be affected if Prop. 100 - the temporary one percent sales tax - passes or fails? Now you can find out. If Prop. 100 fails, traditional public schools can expect a total funding cut of $748,775,148. Public charter schools can expect a $63,663,047 total funding cut. To find out how your school district or public charter may be impacted, click here. |
| _________________________ May 18, 2010 Special Election for Proposition 100 - Temporary 1% Sales Tax Proposition 100 Facts
For more information see Proposition 100: The 1% Temporary Sales Tax Increase-Your Questions Answered April 19, 2010 _________________________ |
| Learn More -- Find a Budget and/or Prop. 100 Forum near YOU! The Arizona Education Network and other parent organizations are sponsoring or speaking at several upcoming public forums about the state of education funding and the local impact of Prop. 100. If you would like AEN to list your school and/or organization's budget and/or Prop. 100 forum on our next newsletter and our website, please email the information to jen@arizonaeducationnetwork.com. Arizona Education Network Forums in the Amphitheater School District Tuesday, April 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Ironwood Ridge High School 2475 West Naranja Drive Oro Valley, AZ Map available here. Wednesday April 7, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Amphitheater High School, Auditorium 125 West Yavapai Tucson, AZ Map Available here. Higley Community Event for Prop. 100 Tuesday, April 6, 7 p.m. Higley Center for the Performing Arts 4132 East Pecos Road Gilbert, AZ 85295 Map available here. Sunday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre University of Arizona campus (on the UA Mall, just west of Campbell) Tuesday, April 13, 7 p.m. here.Catalina Methodist Church, in the Fellowship Hall 2700 East Speedway Boulevard Tucson, AZ 85716 Map available Arizona Education Network Forum in the Flowing Wells Unified School District Thursday, April 15, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Flowing Wells High School, Auditorium 3725 North Flowing Wells Road Tucson, AZ 85705 Map available Impact of the Arizona Budget on Public Education: Kyrene Elementary, Tempe Elementary & Tempe Union High School Districts, sponsored by the Parent Network Tuesday, April 20, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Compadre High School 500 West Guadalupe Road Tempe, AZ 85283 Map available here. Arizona Education Network Community Forum to discuss the impact of Prop. 100 on public education, universities, police, fire and public health Thursday, April 22, details TBA |
| _________________________ Are you interested in becoming a member of your school board?The Arizona School Board Association is sponsoring two informational webinars, covering what it takes to run for and serve on an Arizona school board. Saturday, April 17, 10 - 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 12, 6 - 7 p.m. To reserve your virtual seat for this informative event, visit www.azsba.org and click the "Running for School Board Webinar" link. Serving on a school board is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs you'll ever undertake. If you're considering a run for your school board, you want to take advantage of this opportunity! _________________________ |
| The Arizona Education Network Needs YOUR Help! Last week, we sent out a fundraising appeal to help us pay for upcoming outreach events and operating expenses. Since then, we've received over $1,500. Thank you to all who contributed to this generous start! We still have a way to go to reach our goal of $25,000. If you haven't already, please consider making a donation online by clicking here, or you can make a check payable to The Arizona Education Network and mail it to: The Arizona Education Network 4729 East Sunrise Drive, #210 Tucson, AZ 85718 All contributions are greatly appreciated. If you have already contributed, thank you! Because we are a 501 (c)(4) non-profit organization, contributions are not tax-deductible. |
Will you help us reach our goal? Contribute online today viaPayPal Or mail your check to: The Arizona Education Network 4728 East Sunrise Drive, #210 Tucson, AZ 85718 Thank you for your support! ______________________ |
| _________________________ Interested in having the Arizona Education Network speak at your school or community group? _________________________ |
|
Monday, April 5, 2010
Top Ten Reasons to Vote for Prop 100
by Francesca Thomas, Scottsdale Parent & Public Education Supporter
1) IF WE BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME
As we seek to attract new, high tech. businesses to our State, research shows that we must have the infrastructure, including a vibrant, competitive school system, to lure them.
Passage of Prop. 100 will infuse our public schools with some much needed funding so we can continue to support the kind of schools that corporations look for when choosing new sites for their business.
2) POLICE ARE A PRIORITY
Part of the funding from Prop. 100 will go to support public safety. Especially in difficult economic times, we cannot afford to forego a strong police presence in our neighborhoods and State. There is simply too much at stake.
3) HEALTH IS WEALTH
The current State budget removes access to healthcare from thousands of children and families in need. Prop. 100 mandates that 1/3 of the collected revenues be spent on health care. Early intervention will allow those people to get better and help our economy recover, instead of being a drain on economic recovery as their acute illnesses only get attention in our emergency rooms.
4) IT’S THE LAW OF THE LAND
The Arizona Constitution states, “ [T]he legislature shall make such appropriations, to be met by taxation, as shall insure the proper maintenance of all state educational institutions…”
In the past 2 years, public education has endured $900 million in cuts. To properly maintain our schools, we need to get some more money. The Legislature is relying on us to uphold this Constitutional mandate and pass Prop. 100.
5) SOMETIMES BIGGER ISN’T BETTER
Arizona already has the highest student teacher ratio in the nation. Without funding from Prop. 100, our classroom sizes will grow to averages not seen anywhere else in our country; surely our children deserve better.
6) SMARTS COME FROM MORE THAN THE 3 Rs
Research has proven that the very skills our children need to be successful in this 21st century economy are fostered by fine arts education. But the cuts to public education- already nearly a 25% total cut over the last 2 years- will preclude many districts from offering their students these essential classes. Prop. 100 gives us a chance to tell our children that we understand and support a well rounded, high caliber education for every Arizona child.
7) CUT… CUT… LOSE
We have closed our parks and rest areas; we have slashed our university and public school budgets; we have diminished government personnel and budgets; and we have sold our State buildings. The long-term economic impact of all these cuts –in terms of the job losses and reduced revenue- is predicted to be significant if not devastating. Relying on cuts alone will throw our State back in time, and we will lose our competitive edge. Our recovery from this recession requires a small, temporary influx of cash; Prop. 100 can deliver.
8) IT’S A SCREAMIN’ DEAL
For an extra penny on your dollar, you can buy almost $1 billion worth of services for our children, our communities and our neediest citizens.
9) HERE TODAY- GONE TOMORROW
It clearly states in the law that this tax will be eliminated on May 31, 2013. It really is a temporary stopgap that will help us maintain essential State functions while we continue to recover from our recession.
10) ARIZONA’S KIDS ARE WORTH IT
90% of Arizona children are educated in public schools; two-thirds of Prop. 100 money must be spent on our public schools. A YES vote on Prop. 100 sends a message to our children that they are our greatest State treasure, even when times are tough.
_________________________________________________________________________
"Top Ten Reasons to Vote for Prop 100" originally ran in the print edition of the Scottsdale Republic as a "My Turn" column on April 1, 2010. We obtained permission from Francesca Thomas to post it here. Thomas is a mother of three boys in the Scottsdale Unified School District and is president-elect for the Scottsdale Parent Council.
1) IF WE BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME
As we seek to attract new, high tech. businesses to our State, research shows that we must have the infrastructure, including a vibrant, competitive school system, to lure them.
Passage of Prop. 100 will infuse our public schools with some much needed funding so we can continue to support the kind of schools that corporations look for when choosing new sites for their business.
2) POLICE ARE A PRIORITY
Part of the funding from Prop. 100 will go to support public safety. Especially in difficult economic times, we cannot afford to forego a strong police presence in our neighborhoods and State. There is simply too much at stake.
3) HEALTH IS WEALTH
The current State budget removes access to healthcare from thousands of children and families in need. Prop. 100 mandates that 1/3 of the collected revenues be spent on health care. Early intervention will allow those people to get better and help our economy recover, instead of being a drain on economic recovery as their acute illnesses only get attention in our emergency rooms.
4) IT’S THE LAW OF THE LAND
The Arizona Constitution states, “ [T]he legislature shall make such appropriations, to be met by taxation, as shall insure the proper maintenance of all state educational institutions…”
In the past 2 years, public education has endured $900 million in cuts. To properly maintain our schools, we need to get some more money. The Legislature is relying on us to uphold this Constitutional mandate and pass Prop. 100.
5) SOMETIMES BIGGER ISN’T BETTER
Arizona already has the highest student teacher ratio in the nation. Without funding from Prop. 100, our classroom sizes will grow to averages not seen anywhere else in our country; surely our children deserve better.
6) SMARTS COME FROM MORE THAN THE 3 Rs
Research has proven that the very skills our children need to be successful in this 21st century economy are fostered by fine arts education. But the cuts to public education- already nearly a 25% total cut over the last 2 years- will preclude many districts from offering their students these essential classes. Prop. 100 gives us a chance to tell our children that we understand and support a well rounded, high caliber education for every Arizona child.
7) CUT… CUT… LOSE
We have closed our parks and rest areas; we have slashed our university and public school budgets; we have diminished government personnel and budgets; and we have sold our State buildings. The long-term economic impact of all these cuts –in terms of the job losses and reduced revenue- is predicted to be significant if not devastating. Relying on cuts alone will throw our State back in time, and we will lose our competitive edge. Our recovery from this recession requires a small, temporary influx of cash; Prop. 100 can deliver.
8) IT’S A SCREAMIN’ DEAL
For an extra penny on your dollar, you can buy almost $1 billion worth of services for our children, our communities and our neediest citizens.
9) HERE TODAY- GONE TOMORROW
It clearly states in the law that this tax will be eliminated on May 31, 2013. It really is a temporary stopgap that will help us maintain essential State functions while we continue to recover from our recession.
10) ARIZONA’S KIDS ARE WORTH IT
90% of Arizona children are educated in public schools; two-thirds of Prop. 100 money must be spent on our public schools. A YES vote on Prop. 100 sends a message to our children that they are our greatest State treasure, even when times are tough.
_________________________________________________________________________
"Top Ten Reasons to Vote for Prop 100" originally ran in the print edition of the Scottsdale Republic as a "My Turn" column on April 1, 2010. We obtained permission from Francesca Thomas to post it here. Thomas is a mother of three boys in the Scottsdale Unified School District and is president-elect for the Scottsdale Parent Council.
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