Phoenix-Arizona Democrats will continue to be the champions of
public education, teachers and students. Since the start of the year, the
governor and Republican leaders have promised that Prop. 123 (the proposed
settlement in the public school inflation funding lawsuit that began in 2010)
would be the first step in restoring deep budget cuts to education. The state’s
budget is pending, and we must hold them accountable.
Over the past few years, Republicans have held budget votes
late at night. We’re prepared for that—we’re ready to stay late and fight
for the second step in funding our schools. Arizona’s budget is a
statement of priorities, and House Democrats want to make it clear that
education remains at the top of our list.
It looks like Arizona will have about $200
millionmore in sustainable funding in next year’s budget, according to
estimates from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. House Democrats are
proposing that we invest more than 80 percent of that money in
education – both K-12 and universities. This is the best way to ensure a strong
economic future for our state.
We think the next step should be restoring money cut from
K-12 public schools so that we can increase teacher salaries and keep
them from leaving the state, reduce class sizes and get supplies into
classrooms. We also want to get money to universities so that they can reverse
the latest round of
tuition increases recently proposed.
It’s time for Republicans to make good on their commitments
and to prioritize our schools and our students over special interest tax cuts
and corporate welfare. This is especially true now that we are hearing that
attempts to stimulate the economy with these kinds of tax cuts during the
recession will cost
the state about $350 million.
It’s time to do this the right way – by putting money into
our schools and attracting business here by making Arizona an even better place
to live and learn.
#DemsLead
