ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says school voucher expansion leaves many behind

Feb 13, 2023, 4:35 AM

PHOENIX —  Among contentions between Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and a Republican-controlled State Legislature is education, specifically the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program.

Hobbs’ budget proposal called for a repeal of the expansion signed by former Gov. Doug Ducey in July 2022, but Republican Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show soon after that won’t happen.

Hobbs went on Fox News Sunday to discuss the southern border and education. When pressed about the ESA program gifting families opportunities to send children to private schools, the governor said the program is not benefitting families Peterson claims they are.

“We’re not calling for a repeal of the entire program, we’re just calling for a repeal of the universal expansion,” Hobbs said. “The folks President Peterson cited … they’re not actually benefitting from this program, there’s no evidence showing that. For the most part, these families, regardless of getting a private school voucher, they’re not able to afford the gap in tuition that exists with this program.”

Hobbs said families in financial states that allow them to pay for private school are the ones benefiting. The system allows parent in Arizona the choice of taking public money for the K-12 public school system and spending it on private school tuition. Families are able to use more than $6,500 per student each year on expenses.

The governor argued that the public school system, which she said approximately 80% of Arizonans choose, is getting depleted of resources which creates an unfair balance.

Fox News’ Shannon Bream brought up a criticism from Arizona House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci had that Hobbs went to private school.

Hobbs said that decision her family made was difficult and there were times she was on food stamps.

“What I want is for every student in the state of Arizona no matter where they live to have access to high quality public education,” Hobbs said. “With this universal voucher system, that’s not happening.”

Bream countered by asking Hobbs if she felt more students should have access to private school grants considering her background and problem within the public school system, and Hobbs said a lack of investment in public education is the cause for the difficulties.

The Arizona Department of Education said nearly 47,000 students were using the program as of Feb. 6.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Education News

Mesa Public Schools is planning layoffs....

Kevin Stone

Mesa Public Schools reveals details about how many jobs it plans to cut

Mesa Public Schools, the state’s largest public school district, released new details about its previously announced plan for layoffs.

21 hours ago

Republican state Rep. Matt Gress is questioning the legality of the lease-purchase deal that bailed...

Kevin Stone

Arizona lawmaker raises questions about legality of Isaac School District lease-purchase deal

An Arizona lawmaker is questioning the legality of the lease-purchase deal that bailed the Isaac School District out of its financial crisis last month.

2 days ago

A new report found one-third of Arizona public grade school students are chronically absent from sc...

Balin Overstolz

Chronic absentee rate for Arizona students remains far above pre-pandemic level, study finds

A new report found one-third of Arizona public grade school students are chronically absent from school, which is double the absence rate before the pandemic.

5 days ago

Phoenix principal wins $25K, named one of top U.S. educators...

Serena O'Sullivan

Phoenix elementary school principal named one of the top educators in the country

Phoenix principal Jeff Martin cried happy tears as he won the $25,000 Milken Educator Award, which names him one of the top U.S. educators.

7 days ago

Arizona junk food bill lauded by Tom Horne on Feb. 3, 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Horne urges passage of bill to get harmful junk food out of schools

Tom Horne is urging lawmakers to pass a junk food bill that aims to remove foods and drinks with specific ingredients from Arizona cafeterias.

7 days ago

Follow @KTAR923...

Sponsored Content by Bright Wealth Management

How updating your estate plan is crucial in saving money

As you map out your estate plan, mapping out beneficiaries and keeping it up to date is key in order for the most funds possible to be passed down with ease.

Sponsored Articles

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says school voucher expansion leaves many behind