Child advocacy groups call on Ducey to focus more on family, children

Jun 10, 2015, 6:30 PM | Updated: 6:30 pm
...
LISTEN: Governor Doug Ducey on Arizona Schools and Child Safety (DCS)

PHOENIX — Various child advocacy groups sent hundreds of handwritten postcards to the Governor’s office on Wednesday, calling for a change in priorities.

The postcards urged Gov. Doug Ducey to focus more dollars in the state budget toward family and child initiatives — in particular, education.

Dana Wolfe Naimark, president of the Children’s Action Alliance, which helped send postcards, said a better budget would help improve conditions in schools.

“We know we need a better budget because children in classrooms across the state are siting in rooms with 35 and 40 students, not enough desks, outdated textbooks, no technology, teachers who are struggling and will only be there just a few years,” she said.

Funding for family initiatives such as childcare, child safety, healthcare and others will also suffer under the upcoming budget, Naimark said.

With the next fiscal year beginning on July 1, Naimark said funding for education and other support services need to be a higher priority for Ducey and the state legislature moving forward.

Ducey introduced a plan last Thursday to use nearly $2 billion from the state’s permanent land trust endowment toward K-12 education. Naimark said the plan is a start but is not a sure thing because it would have to be approved by voters.

Ducey spoke to KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac and Gaydos Wednesday and said there is more than enough money in state land to fund education.

“If you take the amount of state land in addition to the cash we have, it’s over $70 billion in value and we need resources in education,” he said.

Naimark said Ducey’s plan is also not a solution to fix the continued lack of funding for Arizona schools. Only prioritizing kids and families in the budget process can fix the long-term problems, according to Naimark.

“If the Governor thinks that this gets him off the hook for dealing with education funding in this next legislative session, he is dead wrong,” she said.

We want to hear from you.

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

Arizona News

(Facebook Photo/Journey Out of Homelessness)...
SuElen Rivera

Founder of Phoenix nonprofit can relate to the homeless she helps

The founder of a Phoenix nonprofit organization is working to aid the homeless community years after she climbed out of similar circumstances.
11 hours ago
(Facebook Photos/Gila County Sheriff's Office)...
KTAR.com

Arizona couple missing after vehicle found in floodwaters

An Arizona couple is missing after their vehicle was found stuck in floodwaters in Gila County on Wednesday, authorities said.
11 hours ago
(AP File Photo/Matt Rourke)...
KTAR.com

Woman shot to death, man injured near downtown Phoenix

Police in Phoenix are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman near downtown Wednesday night.
11 hours ago
(Pexels Photo)...
KTAR.com

1 dead after early-morning fire in Mesa business complex

One person was found dead after a small flash fire at a Mesa business early Thursday, first responders said.
11 hours ago
(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)...
Associated Press

Arizona high court rejects all but 1 of Kari Lake’s election claims

The Arizona Supreme Court has declined to hear most of Republican Kari Lake’s appeal in a challenge of her defeat in the governor’s race but revived a claim that was dismissed by a trial court.
11 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Cartwright Elementary School)...
Griselda Zetino

Valley school district switches to 4-day workweek to recruit, retain staff

A Phoenix-area school district is switching to a four-day workweek to attract new employees and entice current ones to stay on the job.
11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(Photo: OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center)...

Here’s what you need to know about OCD and where to find help

It's fair to say that most people know what obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders generally are, but there's a lot more information than meets the eye about a mental health diagnosis that affects about one in every 100 adults in the United States.
(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...
Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.
...
Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Company looking for oldest air conditioner and wants to reward homeowner with new one

Does your air conditioner make weird noises or a burning smell when it starts? If so, you may be due for an AC unit replacement.
Child advocacy groups call on Ducey to focus more on family, children