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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says Republicans should be ‘embarrassed’ by ESA program costs

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said Republicans should be “embarrassed” about how much taxpayer money the state's ESA school voucher program wastes.

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PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs spoke out against the state’s school voucher program twice this week, saying Republicans should be “embarrassed” by the waste of taxpayer dollars.

The Arizona ESA (Empowerment Scholarship Account) program allows parents to spend tax money that otherwise would have been used on their child’s public education for private school or homeschooling expenses.

Hobbs told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos on Tuesday the program needs more accountability to make sure improper purchases aren’t made.

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“They should be embarrassed that they keep defending this program that is now costing taxpayers a billion dollars a year, and we’re seeing public schools close,” she said.

Hobbs targeted Arizona ESAs, Prop 123 during State of the State address

Hobbs also called out the program during her State of the State address on Monday, focusing on supporting public education by reining in ESA spending.

“Who knows what taxpayers will be footing the bill for tomorrow? In my plan, the original mission of the ESA program — to help kids with disabilities and in military families — remains untouched. But even the program’s most ardent supporters must agree: It’s time we tackle the waste, fraud and abuse to ensure taxpayer dollars are going towards true educational purposes,” she said during her annual speech before a joint session of the Legislature.

Hobbs said the program is also interfering with the renewal of an education funding mechanism. She said Republicans are working to get protection for the Arizona ESA program included in the Proposition 123 renewal process.

Prop 123, which was approved by voters in 2016, increased the amount of money being put aside for public schools from the State Land Trust Permanent Fund from 2.5% to 6.9%. That provided schools with an additional $300 million or so per year.

“When we revisit a renewal of Prop 123 this session, let’s end the partisan calls to add constitutional protections to the ESA entitlement program. … Let’s get serious about our once-in-a-decade opportunity to invest in our state’s public schools without raising taxes,” she said.

Hobbs said she will draft a Prop 123 renewal plan this week, which could help “stop the teacher exodus” and “stop underfunding schools.”

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

Shira Tanzer KTAR News 92.3 FM education solutions reporter

Shira Tanzer is the education solutions reporter for KTAR News 92.3 FM. She joined KTAR in 2021 and previously worked as a reporter for Cronkite News, the Jewish News, and interned at ABC15. Shira has lived in Arizona since 2013 and brings a strong… Read more

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