But what can I do?
Prop 123, passed by voters in 2016 created a major funding source for Arizona’s public schools. It is to expire this June. The governor’s office and the state legislature has been trying to hash out a renewal question to go back to the voters.
History of Prop 123
When Arizona became a state, Congress granted lands to the state that are managed for the
purpose of generating revenue primarily for K-12 education. These lands serve as an
endowment and source of revenue for Arizona public education. Since statehood, some of
these state lands have been sold and the proceeds placed into a trust fund, which is then
invested in securities and bonds. Revenue also comes from the lease of state lands for
activities such as cattle grazing and mining. The value of the fund is currently $9.25 billion.
Prior to Prop123, 2.5% of the State Land Trust fund was given to K-12 education annually for classroom expenditures. In 2016 Proposition 123 increased that amount to 6.9% for ten years. Prop 123 was also used to settle a lawsuit against the state for failing to fund schools in accordance with inflation.
Fast forward to today. The expiration of Prop 123 monies to schools is complicated with the past lawsuit playing a role and a constitutional built-in mandating a small portion of the State Land Trust proceeds be used for education.
One of the barriers to getting agreement to putting a continuation of Prop 123 on a ballot is the great divide over where the money should go when collected.
The governor’s plan would deliver a projected $216 million for teacher pay in 2026 and make the funding source permanent. Additionally, public schools would receive an estimated $101 million in flexible funding with the increased distribution lasting 10 years. As the state land trust grows, funding will increase, generating more dollars for public schools.
The MAGA resistance plan would give all money to classroom teachers. Funding for teachers holds better bragging rights to those lawmakers who have not stepped inside a k-12 school in years. They have no clue on the worth aides and support staff bring to education.
The majority party sees no rush in putting forward an extension claiming the large funding void can be back filled from the general fund. So, we would rob Peter to pay Paul and make Peter suffer. Unfortunately, in this case, both Peter and Paul are education monies, so how is that a solution?
Why is the MAGA plan a problem? While teacher pay in Arizona is low compared to all other states, teachers alone do not serve our students. The long list of staff and services needed for a successful public school education extends beyond classroom teachers.
Back to “what can I do?”
Email all three LD3 lawmakers with a simple sentence of support for continuing Prop. 123 with money going to both teachers AND flexible spending. If you have a story of a support staff member who made a difference to a student’s success, please share your story. .
Put Prop. 123 extension in the subject matter and be sure to keep it short as their attention span is limited.
WHAT WE’RE LAUGHING AT….
Senator Wendy Rogers sponsored a memorial to name Highway 260 Trump Highway. With one republican absent from the vote and one republican voting against the bill, it failed. A memorial is slightly different from a bill because alone it has no real power for change. In this case SCM1001 urges the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historical Names (AZSBGHN) to rename the road. The Board would make the decision.
Why are we laughing? State Route 260 has been identified as one of the most dangerous roads in Arizona, with accidents and fatalities far above the state average for similar roads.
AND the AZSBGHN does not name a landmark after a person until the person has been dead at least five years.
Senator Kavanagh voted YES for the name change request.
תגובות