Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/154758
AT THE CAPITOL Governor Expands Voucher Program, Costing Public Schools Nearly $65 Million Unfortunately, some of the euphoric feelings year of the program; however, Governor Brewer from earlier in the day when a bipartisan budget still chose to sign SB1363 into law. was passed were dashed later in the evening This bill significantly changes the game when two bills AEA has been for private school vouchers. It working to defeat were passed on permits any kindergarten student "SB1363 will a reconsideration vote during the to receive a voucher to attend final hours of session. The first bill divert funds from an a private school. Currently, – HB2305 – is a voting/election already struggling in order to get one of these related bill that AEA is concerned "empowerment scholarship system and will lead to voter suppression account" vouchers, one needs activities amongst other issues to switch from being a public channel them to (read more about this bill on page school student to a private school private schools 14). The second bill – SB1363 – is student. With the passage of without any a private school voucher issue. SB1363, this opens the flood SB1363 expands the gates for vouchers to go to any accountability. use of the state's voucher would have Arizona's students child whopublic schoolnever scheme – Empowerment attended – and deserve better." Scholarship Accounts (ESA) – make the state of Arizona pay for to kindergartners and would that schooling for the student's provide funding for attendance at entire K-12 career at a cost of 90 private and religious schools throughout their percent of what the state would have paid for K-12 education. SB1363 was defeated when the child to attend public school. the Senate first voted on it. Then one of our In addition, the bill also provides additional Democratic friends in the Senate – Senator money for voucher students who transfer from Barbara McGuire (LD 8) – flipped on us in the a charter school to a private school by giving final hours of session. She moved to reconsider them the 90 percent of the base support level the bill, and it passed the Senate by a vote funding plus the charter school additional of 16 ayes – 13 nays. Senator McGuire alone assistance funding (approximately $1,600 per brought this bill back to life and then gave it the student). It is disheartening that this bill passed final vote necessary for passage. The other 12 the Senate with the help of a senator who is Democrats remained true friends and voted no supposed to be our friend. as did Republican Senator Rich Crandall during AEA, along with a coalition of education both of the votes on this bill. groups, are currently involved in a lawsuit, AEA respectfully asked the Governor to veto NIEHAUS et al. v. HUPPENTHAL et al., this bill, stating, "SB1363 will divert funds from challenging the constitutionality of Arizona's an already struggling system and channel them private school voucher program. The case is to private schools without any accountability. currently in the Court of Appeals. 2 Arizona's students deserve better." Data was provided to her, showing that the financial impact of the expanded ESA program could be higher than $7.2 million in the first year and grow to more than $64.8 million in just the fifth Fall.13advo.indd 8 8 Fall 2013 x AEA Advocate 8/7/13 2:35 PM