It's Official - We've Launched the Quality Education & Jobs Initiative Campaign!

Dear Friends:

We want to share some very exciting news! Friday, March 9, 2012 at 10 a.m., we launched the Quality Education and Jobs Campaign to strengthen our children's education and our state's economy.

We filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office that allows us to begin collecting signatures to place a once-in-a-generation measure on the ballot this November.

The Quality Education and Jobs Initiative will ask voters to renew the one-cent sales tax to achieve the following:

• Protect K-12 education funding from further legislative cuts and create a dedicated source of revenue for education across the spectrum - benefiting students of all ages.
  
• Help educators implement new, more rigorous Common Core standards for K-12, which come online in 2015-2016, as well as other reforms.
  
• Create university and community college scholarship programs, and provide funding for university operations.
  
• Reinvest in career and technical education at the high school and community college levels, as well as GED programs.
  
• Create a poverty index that directs resources to school districts and charter schools to help children living in poverty succeed and to fund voluntary preschool programs.
  
• Provide funding for KidsCare, a healthcare program for children living in poverty, and create Family Stability fund for state agencies and non-profits that help address hunger, homelessness, family violence and child care.
  
• Create new jobs and protect public safety by protecting state funds that are directed toward DPS officers and transportation projects, and by creating a new fund to build roads, rail and transit.

Our all-volunteer team has spent the past 10 months working to make this a reality. We appreciate all of your support along the way, and look forward to working with you so we can win in November!

First, we have to collect 172,809 signatures by July 5 to get on the ballot. We have hired professional petition circulators who have already begun collecting signatures, but the more we can collect through volunteers, the more funds we'll have to spend connecting with voters through mail and advertising.

Can you help?

We will be having training sessions for volunteers who want to circulate petitions and join our speaker's bureau. If you are interested and haven't signed up already, do so by clicking here.

This is a true grassroots effort, so we also will need your donations to run the campaign. Donations can be made online here or mailed to:

Quality Education and Jobs

530 McDowell Road, #107-290

Phoenix, AZ 85044

Be sure and note your occupation and employer on the check. There are no limits to the amount that individuals can give to an initiative effort. Corporations are also allowed to donate.

To read the ballot language and the press release, visit the campaign website at www.qualityeducationandjobs.com.

Thank you!

Your AEN team,
Ann-Eve Pedersen
Eileen Jackson
Jen Darland
Lisa Ferko
MaryLee Moulton

AEN Prop. 100 - Vote Yes Tool Kit

For ideas and resources you need to effectively get the word out in your community on Proposition 100 - the TEMPORARY 1% sales tax increase - check out AEN's Proposition 100 - Vote Yes Tool Kit!

Arizona Education Network Forums in the Amphitheater School District: Videos

Below is a series of videos filmed during the Arizona Education Network forums in the Amphitheater School District, April 5 - 7, 2010. For links to the budget presentations by Dr. Vicki Balentine and CFO, Scott Little, click here.

Please note: Due to processing errors out of our control, some of the videos begin with sound and no picture for the first few seconds of play.  The picture comes back in all cases near the one minute mark, with the rest of the video playing fine.  We apologize for the inconvenience.



Arizona Education Network Presentation by Melissa Megna, Co-Founder of AEN



Ironwood Ridge High School Senior Answers AEN's Question: "How has Your Experience at Your High School Benefited You and Prepared You for the Future?"



State of Public Education Funding Presentation by Scott Little, CFO Amphitheater School District


Part 1 of 3: Amphitheater School District 2010-2011 Budget Presentation by Dr. Vicki Balentine, Amphitheater Superintendent



Part 2 of 3: 2010-2011 Amphitheater Budget



Part 3 of 3: 2010-2011 Amphitheater Budget


Part 1 of 3: Q&A with Dr. Balentine & Mr. Little



Part 2 of 3: Q&A with Dr. Balentine & Mr. Little



Part 3 of 3: Q&A with Dr. Balentine & Mr. Little


Check out our YouTube Channel AZEducationNetwork!

AZ Public Media Debate: "Arizona Sales Tax: Fix or Folly?"

For information on Proposition 100, click here.

"Walk the Vote, Rock the Vote" for Prop 100 a Success for Vail Parents & Education Supporters

From Kristi H. of PAVE:

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. 

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

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.)
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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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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. In order to show the direct impact of potential cuts to school districts if Prop. 100 fails, Governor Brewer's Office recently released a report that provides a district-by-district estimate of the impact of legislative budget cuts on Arizona school districts for the 2010-11 school year. The report shows both the cuts that will occur if Prop. 100 passes and the estimates of additional cuts for each school district if Prop. 100 fails on May 18. 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. Related articles: Proposition 100: The TEMPORARY 1% Sales Tax Increase - Your Questions Answered!

_________________________ May 18, 2010 Special Election for Proposition 100 - Temporary 1% Sales Tax Proposition 100 Facts Without the temporary sales tax, as much as one-quarter of all public education funding could be cut. This could mean 1.5 to 2 out of every 10 teacher positions may be eliminated. Proposition 100 will devote two-thirds of revenues generated to education funding and one-third to health and human services and public safety. The tax will automatically repeal on May 31, 2013. It would take a two-thirds vote of the legislature or another voter proposition to keep the tax increase in place. For more information see Proposition 100: The 1% Temporary Sales Tax Increase-Your Questions Answered Last Day to Register to Vote April 19, 2010 Arizona Education Network Voter Guide: Important Dates, Information, and Resources _________________________

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. Please take a moment to find a forum near you! If you do not see a forum in your community and would like our help to organize one, please send us an email at outreach@arizonaeducationnetwork.com. 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. KUAT-TV Televised Forum on Prop. 100 Sunday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre University of Arizona campus (on the UA Mall, just west of Campbell) The League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson & the Catalina Methodist Church Committee on Church, Society and Mission Prop. 100 Forum Tuesday, April 13, 7 p.m. Catalina Methodist Church, in the Fellowship Hall 2700 East Speedway Boulevard Tucson, AZ 85716 Map available here. 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 here. 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 via PayPal 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? Email us at outreach@arizonaeducationnetwork.com for information and dates. _________________________

Three steps you can take to support public education in Arizona: Vote,Vote,Vote 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: Arizona Education Network Voter Guide; Find your Legislator

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.

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"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. 

The Arizona Education Network's Recent Legislative Update ~ March 15, 2010

Special Seventh Session Budget Surprises

The Legislature's Seventh Special Session is a lesson in semantics for Arizona families. It seems that lawmakers are trumpeting the restoration of half-day Kindergarten. While some argued that a cut is a cut - not a restoration, there were not enough votes to save the $218 million appropriation to the full-day kinder program.

Lawmakers in both the House and the Senate spent more than nine hours in committee on Tuesday, March 9, engaged in heated debate in between hearing public testimony. The elimination of state programs such as KidsCare, a healthcare program for children whose families are well-below poverty level, and the near elimination of the Department of Juvenile Corrections, are but two examples of the impact of this bill to programs vital for children and public safety.

Adding insult to injury was the surprise addition of a $98 million appropriation from the state's general fund to the Department of Corrections for an additional 6,000 "beds". That's 2,000 private prisons beds at approximately $20,000 each for a total of $40 million and 4,000 new state prisons beds at approximately $14,500 each for a total of $58 million. Note that the private prison bed price is $5,500 more per bed than the state prison price per bed.

According the Arizona Republic, the Senate is expected to finish voting on two remaining bills, bringing the Seventh Special Session to a close. After which, the entire package of $1.1 billion in state program cuts will be transmitted to Governor Brewer for her signature


To read more go to House & Senate Appropriations Committees Begin Work on Seventh Special Session Bills **UPDATED**


So let's look at the budget options:

Behind Door #1: Cuts IF Proposition 100 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.
• Basic funding level for education cut back to the 2005-06 funding levels

Behind Door #2: Cuts to expect IN ADDITION to those listed above IF Proposition 100 DOES NOT PASS:

If the Prop. 100 does not pass, additional state budget cuts starting in July could total $900 million. These include:

• An additional $400 million in cuts coming from K-12 schools.
• $100 million from universities and community colleges.
• Funding levels of K-12 could be cut to 2000-2001 funding levels. This will push our state back a full decade in funding.

For more information, see Prop. 100 - Your Questions Answered.


The Arizona Education Network Enjoyed Meeting Education Supporters at the Tucson Festival of Books

Arizona Education Network at the Tucson Festival of Books

Arizona Education Network handed out thousands of Prop 100 flyers, bookmarks and postcards at the Tucson Festival of Books. We were able to register new voters and sign many up for early voting from home. For those who signed up for our newsletter - welcome!

News Under the Radar


New National Curriculum Standards May Be Heading To Arizona

The new Common Core Standards, created by a panel of members of the National Governor's Association and the state Superintendents of Education, was released this week for public comment. The standards were crafted to provide rigorous, uniform education benchmarks among the states, replacing individual state standards of varying levels. The Common Core Standards project is a state-led initiative; not a federal initiative. Arizona was an early supporter of the development of these new Common Core Standards and touted its commitment to adopt the standards in their application for the Race to the Top grant. Click here for the full article.

Overrides Win in Majority of State

Fifteen district overrides passed while nine failed in the March 9th elections. The number of override campaigns, in addition to the victories for many districts where overrides had previously failed, shows communities are mobilizing to protect their public school programs, teachers, and class sizes. Click here for details.

AEN is a non-partisan, all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that exists to provide factual information and advocacy for public education.

AEN's Recent Legislative Update ~ March 8, 2010

Budget Special Session Starts Today: The Writing is on the Wall for Public Education in Arizona

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!

1. Vote YES if your district is holding an override or bond election on Tuesday, March 9th (tomorrow).
2. Vote YES on Prop. 100, the sales tax referendum, Tuesday, May 18th.
3. Vote for pro-education candidates in the Primary Election, Tuesday, August 24th.
4. 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.

AEN's Recent Legislative Update ~ March 1, 2010

Proposition 100: The 1% Temporary Sales Tax Increase-Your Questions Answered

The Arizona Legislature is asking voters to temporarily raise the sales tax by 1%, until May 31, 2013. To see the transmitted bill, click here. The election will take place on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. The following is information that will explain the proposition's potential impact.

What are the specifics of Proposition 100?

Proposition 100 proposes a 1% increase in the Arizona state sales tax. Two-thirds of the revenues generated would fund education and the other one-third would fund health and human services and public safety. The sales tax would automatically repeal on May 31, 2013.

Will it really repeal automatically?

Yes, it will repeal on May 31, 2013. It would take a two-thirds vote of the legislature or another voter proposition to keep the tax increase in place.

What happens to education funding if Proposition 100 does not pass?

If the temporary 1% sales tax does not pass, as much as one-quarter of all public education funding could be cut! This could mean 1.5 to 2 of out of every 10 teacher positions may be eliminated.

Will there be additional cuts to public schools even if Prop 100 passes?

YES. Even if Proposition 100 passes the revenue raised is not enough to close the budget gap. Additional cuts to education proposed includes:

• Reduction of state funding per-student from current levels to FY2005-06 funding levels.
• Elimination of state funding for Gifted Programs, Teacher Training, Adult Education and GED, and the Early Education Block Grant.
• The elimination of the Full-Day Kindergarten funding rate ($218 million)
• Reduced funding for Charter Schools ($10 million)
• No funding for regular School Building and Maintenance. Only $5 million for emergency maintenance state-wide.
• Reduction of support for Community Colleges and Universities to FY 2005-06 levels. Per-pupil support would drop for universities from $9,480 to $7,100 per student.

What can you do?

• Register to VOTE and apply to receive a permanent early ballot. Click here for links to your county board of elections.
• The last day to register to vote is April 19, 2010. Early voting begins on April 22, 2010; the last day to request an early ballot is May 7, 2010. 
• Talk to your family, friends and neighbors about Proposition 100 and its importance to the economic future of Arizona. 
• Print out this one page handout : What You Need to Know About Proposition 100-The Temporary 1% Sales Tax, pdf. 
• Stay informed: Sign up for our newsletter

To read the entire article click:

Proposition 100: The 1% Temporary Sales Tax Increase-Your Questions Answered


Arizona Education Network Pro Argument for Proposition 100

AEN submitted a pro statement in support of the passage of Proposition 100 - The temporary sales tax. To read the statement, click here.


Tell Us Your Stories: How are education cuts affecting you?

The Legislature has already cut Arizona public education funding with more cuts expected. We want to know how these cuts are affecting your student, their classroom and your school. Send us your stories, your videos, your view and we will post it on a new section of our web site. We will also be featuring individual stories in our newsletter. We want to hear your voice! Click here to send us your story.

To read stories submitted to AEN, click here.


Take care,

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.