Senate and House Democratic Caucuses
Senator Katie Hobbs, LD24, Senate Democratic
Leader
Representative Rebecca Rios, LD27, House Democratic Leader
January 13, 2017
STATE CAPITOL,
PHOENIX – Senate Democratic
Leader Katie Hobbs and House Democratic Leader Rebecca Rios released this
statement on Gov. Ducey's budget proposal.
"In poll after poll,
the people of Arizona have been very clear that more resources are needed in
order for Arizona kids to be successful. The governor's State of the State
address raised hopes about his level of commitment to education, but the devil
is in the details.
"He promised to
finally invest in teacher retention and recruitment, but his budget offers
teachers a raise of just four-tenths of a percent a year, which doesn't even
keep pace with inflation. For new teachers starting at low-income schools, this
budget does present opportunities. But for our most loyal teachers who have
stuck with our schools through years of budget cuts and no raise, this is hardly
a vote of confidence.
"He promised
increased funds for universities, but is pulling that money away from cities,
towns and highways, while once again offering nothing to community
colleges.
"We know we see a
return when we invest in kids. The same can't be said for the additional $107
million in state revenue we'll lose to unaccountable corporate tax credits, or
the corporate STO credit that grows by 20 percent each year, or letting our
roads fall further into disrepair.
"It's easy to cut
programs, like TANF and JTEDs, then restore them and claim to be the hero. The
same is happening with education. Governor Ducey spent the vast majority of his
State of the State speech touting all the good he has done and will do for
Arizona's schools. But after almost a decade of neglect, they need more than
mile-wide-and-inch-deep platitudes. This is a crisis of the majority's
making.
It's long past time
to make meaningful and sustainable investment in our education system, one that
prioritizes students over special interest tax cuts. We can make these
investments by ending irresponsible tax cuts, committing real state dollars to
schools and renewing Prop 301 at a full cent.
"Democrats have
offered solutions that would make a difference in our schools and our economy.
They are solutions that can be easily achieved by working together, which we
have always been willing to do. We will continue to prioritize people over
politics and advocate for real, long-term changes that ensure a prosperous
future. To Governor Ducey and the legislative majority we say, let's get this
done.
Our door is
open."
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