Ducey highlights education and economy in his report ‘2016: Year in Review’
Dec 9, 2016, 5:09 AM | Updated: 8:07 am
(AP Photo/Chase Stevens, File)
(AP Photo/Chase Stevens, File)
PHOENIX — Education and the economy were among many categories that saw success in Arizona this year, according to Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s annual report, 2016: Year in Review.
“I ran on a platform that I wanted to get our economy moving in the right direction and I also wanted to restore our K-12 education system,” said Ducey.
That’s why improvements in those areas are proud accomplishments, Ducey said in a one-on-one interview.
“For me Prop. 123, the special election where we were able to put 3.5 billion additional dollars into K-12 education without raising taxes was a special highlight,” he said. “It was very hard fought, very difficult to do, especially in this political environment.”
As for the economy, there’s been 6,000 new jobs announced in the last several weeks, as well as tax reform and regulatory reform, he said.
“There’s been a lot of ground work that we’ve laid in terms of selling the state,” he said. “Making sure that people know that we’re a great place to live, work and do business.”
As for what can we expect for 2017?
“We want to do more of the same,” he said. “We’re going to focus on education every year. We’re going to improve education every year. We’re going to invest more in education every year.”
Plus, Arizona is fortunate to be right next door to a state like California, Ducey said. They are doing so many things wrong around its tax code and its regulatory environment that it’s pushing people and producers out of the state.
“We want to be the number one place in the country where those people relocate and invest,” he said.
