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Save Our Schools Arizona
Weekly Education Report

56th Legislature, 1st General Session
Volume 5, Issue 20 • Week of May 22, 2023

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Culture Wars are BAAAACK

The lackluster budget being loudly celebrated by the far-right extremist “Freedom Caucus” is behind us, and the Republican-run Arizona Legislature is returning to business as usual. That means more culture wars, attacks on teachers, attempts to expand vouchers, and even more “spring breaks” for lawmakers. Luckily for Arizona, Gov. Hobbs’ veto stamp still contains plenty of ink.

This past week, Republicans passed a slew of bills that attack public schools, educators and LGBTQ+ youth — none of these draconian restrictions apply to ESA-funded private schools or ESA-funded home education. All are awaiting transmittal to Gov. Hobbs’ desk (she is expected to veto them): 

  • 📥SB1001, Kavanagh (R-3), would ban teachers from using a student’s chosen pronouns without written parental permission. This manufactured, divisive culture-war bill hurts students and further politicizes teachers.
  • 📥SB1040, Kavanagh (R-3), would ban trans kids from using the school bathrooms, changing facilities and “sleeping quarters” that align with their gender identities, further politicizing public schools
  • 📥HB2786, Heap (R-10), would require school boards to notify parents of recommended or funded “training opportunities” for staff as part of the hunt for nonexistent “critical race theory” in schools. 
  • 📥SB1026, Kavanagh (R-3), threatens school funding by banning “drag shows” for people under 18 – and the definition is broad enough to include school plays and pep rallies. Violators would lose state funds for 3 school years. 
  • 📥SB1410, Wadsack (R-17), would require public school boards to establish the equivalent of Supt. Horne’s “teacher snitch line” for parents to report purported violations of their rights.
  • 📥SB1243, Mesnard (R-13), would bolster profit for STO vouchers by rolling them into a single category and increasing the maximum contribution amount. 
  • 📥SB1696, Hoffman (R-15), broadly doubles down on a ban on district and charter schools exposing minors to “sexually explicit materials.”
  • 📥HB2539, Pingerelli (R-28), would force the State Board of Education to implement a “public awareness program” to prop up school choice in Arizona, including mandatory publicity for ESA vouchers at the taxpayers’ expense.
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A bright spot: three extremely damaging bills failed on the House floor this week thanks to unanimous “no” votes by Democrats and a single Republican, David Cook (R-7), who held the line on bills that would hurt students and public schools in his rural district. Thanks, Rep. Cook! 

  • ☠️SB1564, Kaiser (R-2), would allow private and ESA voucher students to try out for public school sports. Athletics should be something parents consider when choosing a school for their student. When parents opt out of local schools, they opt out of extracurriculars.
  • ☠️SB1323, Hoffman (R-15), would make it a felony for any public school employee to violate last year’s ban on referring students to or using any so-called “sexually explicit” material, which includes commonly taught literature and even the Bible.
  • ☠️SB1694, Hoffman (R-15), would ban the state, including public schools, from requiring “diversity, equity, and inclusion programs” for its employees.

Join Us!

This Sunday, SOSAZ will host a budget recap discussion about the wins and the losses of the K-12 budget — plus robust conversation around what went wrong and how to move forward. We will hear from special guests Rep. Nancy Gutierrez and Rep. Stacey Travers, who will shed light on the good, the bad and the ugly of the budget and budget process. 

Register HERE as soon as possible so we can approve your registration before the event:

Here are the facts about universal ESA vouchers:

  • Spiraling growth. Universal ESA vouchers have grown from 11,000 students last August to 56,000 today; that’s 500% growth in only 8 months
  • Unbudgeted cost. Most of these students have never attended a public school, representing a brand-new and completely unbudgeted cost to the state
  • Hurts special-needs students. The glut of wealthy families using ESA vouchers at private schools is leaving behind the children for whom the program was originally created
  • Unmanageable. The ADE cannot manage the ballooning program, and the costs will bankrupt our state
  • Runaway train. The program is growing at 1,000 students per week, meaning it is projected to grow to 100,000 by this time next year at a cost of $1 billion to the state
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This is an existential crisis that will be felt by ALL 1.1 million Arizona public school students. We cannot wait for public schools to feel the hurt so brutally that they must lay off teachers and close – we must act now. Join us this Sunday evening at 6 PM to find out what the paths forward look like and how you can help. 

Your voice matters. A simple phone call or email to your lawmaker asking them to prioritize funding for schools and responsible policies for education goes a long way. In order for Arizona to move forward and thrive, these critical discussions need to take place. Find your legislative district here. Email and phone information for your representatives is here and your senator is here.

Voucher Watch

💥 BREAKING: 12 News is reporting that Attorney General Kris Mayes plans to open an investigation into potential wasteful spending and fraud in the ESA voucher program.

Set your DVR for 8 AM on Sunday! In a preview of her appearance on Sunday Square Off this week, AG Mayes shared that “There are no controls on [ESA vouchers]. There’s no accountability, and they’re spending hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money. That needs to be looked at. I’m the state’s top law enforcement officer, and I think it’s my responsibility to do that.”

As we have previously reported, the ESA voucher program has been wide open to fraud and abuse for years. Now that they’ve been universally expanded, ESA vouchers are costing Arizona taxpayers $500 million a year and growing. We will keep you updated as this story develops!

Upcoming Events!

Monday, 5/22 – Gira Educativa en Phoenix en Español @ Bret Tarver Education Complex REGISTER HERE

Tuesday, 5/23 – South Peoria Community Townhall @ Zoe Community Church
REGISTER HERE

Education Advocacy Mini Sessions

Mondays at 6:30pm 

5/22 – Learning to Register Voters – REGISTER HERE

5/29 – Letters to the Editor: Targeting Your Audience

Bills We're Tracking

We encourage you to scan this section and contact your senator or representatives directly, as applicable, on bills you care about. 

Key:

✅ = wrapped into budget

⚠️= veto-proof bill

📥= on Gov. Hobbs’ desk

🗑️ = vetoed

☠️= dead

Ballot Referrals:

  • ⚠️SCR1015, Mesnard (R-13), would ask voters to require ballot measures to collect signatures from a percentage of voters in each of Arizona’s 30 legislative districts: 10% for initiatives and 15% for a constitutional amendment. Awaits House Rules Committee, then the floor (and the ballot). OPPOSE.
  • ⚠️SCR1024, Wadsack (R-17), asks voters to enshrine racism in the state Constitution. This would negatively impact student learning, teacher retention and teacher recruitment. Awaits House Rules Committee, then the floor (and the ballot). OPPOSE.
  • ⚠️SCR1034, Mesnard (R-13), would ask voters to amend the state Constitution to automatically extend the previous year’s state budget if lawmakers don’t pass one in time. This would remove the only structural motivation lawmakers have to work together. SCR1034 awaits House Rules Committee, then the floor (and the ballot). See duplicate bill HCR2038, Livingston (R-28). OPPOSE.
  • ⚠️SCR1035, Mesnard (R-13), would mandate automatic 50% income tax cuts if Arizona has a surplus. These are permanent cuts to the state general fund – and desperately needed dollars that could be used to bring funding for K-12 schools out of the bottom 5 nationally. Awaits House Rules Committee, then the floor (and the ballot). OPPOSE.

Attacks on Teachers & Curriculum:

  • 📥SB1001, Kavanagh (R-3), would ban teachers from using a student’s chosen pronouns without written parental permission. This manufactured, divisive culture-war bill further politicizes teachers and will deepen Arizona’s ongoing teacher retention crisis. Doesn’t apply to taxpayer-funded private schools taking ESA vouchers. Passed the House 5/15, awaiting transmittal to governor for her signature or veto. OPPOSE.
  • 📥SB1040, Kavanagh (R-3), would ban trans kids from using the school bathrooms, changing facilities and “sleeping quarters” that align with their gender identities, further politicizing teachers. Doesn’t apply to taxpayer-funded private schools taking ESA vouchers. Passed the House 5/15, awaiting transmittal to governor for her signature or veto. OPPOSE.
  • ☠️SB1323, Hoffman (R-15), would make it a felony for any public school employee to violate last year’s ban on referring students to or using any so-called “sexually explicit” material, which includes commonly taught literature and even the Bible. Doesn’t apply to taxpayer-funded private schools taking ESA vouchers. FAILED House 3rd, 5/15. OPPOSE.
  • HB2523, Parker (R-10), would require every K-12 student to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily at district and charter schools. Doesn’t apply to taxpayer-funded private schools taking ESA vouchers. Awaits Senate Rules Committee. OPPOSE. 
  • HB2705, Biasiucci (R-30), would create a training pilot program for district and charter school teachers and staff that qualifies them to carry concealed in schools, and appropriate $10 million from the general fund to run it. Awaits Senate Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
  • 📥HB2786, Heap (R-10), would require school boards to notify parents of recommended or funded “training opportunities” for staff. Part of the hunt for nonexistent “critical race theory” in schools. Doesn’t apply to taxpayer-funded private schools taking ESA vouchers. Passed the House 5/15, awaiting transmittal to governor for her signature or veto. OPPOSE.

Voucher Expansions:

  • 📥SB1243, Mesnard (R-13), would bolster profit for STO vouchers by rolling them into a single category and increasing the maximum contribution amount. Passed the House 5/15, awaiting transmittal to governor for her signature or veto. OPPOSE. 
  • HB2014, Livingston (R-28), would more than triple over 3 years the amount Arizona spends on a specific type of STO voucher. Awaits Senate Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
  • HB2504, Parker (R-10), would expand STO vouchers to students in foster care. Public schools serve the vast majority of foster youth, who are already eligible for ESA vouchers. Awaits Senate Rules Committee. OPPOSE.

Attacks on Schools, School Boards, Districts:

  • 📥SB1026, Kavanagh (R-3), threatens school funding by banning “drag shows” for people under 18. Violators would lose state funds for 3 years. Broad enough to include school plays and pep rallies. Passed the House 5/15, awaiting transmittal to governor for her signature or veto. OPPOSE. 
  • 🗑️SB1331, Shamp (R-29), would allow parents to carry guns on school property with a valid concealed weapons permit, violating federal law. Vetoed 4/17. OPPOSE.
  • 📥SB1410, Wadsack (R-17), would require public school boards (but not charter schools or ESA-funded voucher schools) to establish the equivalent of Supt. Horne’s “teacher snitch line” for parents to report purported violations of their rights. Passed the House 5/15, awaiting transmittal to governor for her signature or veto. OPPOSE.
  • ☠️SB1564, Kaiser (R-2), would allow private and ESA voucher students to try out for public school sports. Athletics should be something parents consider when choosing a school for their student. When parents opt out of local schools, they opt out of extracurriculars. Failed its House floor vote 5/15 with David Cook (R-7) joining all Democrats. OPPOSE.
  • SB1596, Mesnard (R-13), would require school district offices to serve as polling places if elections officials ask for it, and require teachers to attend inservice training instead of volunteering at the polls. Awaits House Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
  • SB1599, Mesnard (R-13), would fine school districts that don’t post teacher salary information as already required by law up to $5,000 per day. Awaits a House floor vote; scheduled 3/20, but retained. OPPOSE. 
  • ☠️SB1694, Hoffman (R-15), would ban the state, including public schools, from requiring “diversity, equity, and inclusion programs” for its employees. FAILED its House floor vote 5/15 with David Cook (R-7) joining all Democrats. OPPOSE.
  • 📥SB1696, Hoffman (R-15), broadly doubles down on a ban on district and charter schools exposing minors to “sexually explicit materials.” Passed the House 5/15, awaiting transmittal to governor for her signature or veto. OPPOSE.
  • 📥HB2539, Pingerelli (R-28), would force the State Board of Education to implement a “public awareness program” to prop up school choice in Arizona, including free, mandatory publicity for taxpayer-funded ESA vouchers. Passed a House final reading 5/15, awaits transmittal to the governor’s desk (and a likely veto). OPPOSE.

Resources & Accountability:

  • SB1182, Bennett (R-1), would give private, for-profit universities a share of the $20 million in tax dollars that helps fund teacher training programs, decreasing funding meant for Arizona’s three public universities. This is not only privatization, but poor value for tax money. Awaits House Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
  • SB1281, Shamp (R-29), gives state income tax rebates of $200 individual, $400 joint, to anyone who filed a return in 2022. This would drain $936 million from the state General Fund, which would mean cuts to K-12 education. Awaits House Rules Committee. A smaller, similar provision was wrapped into the budget. OPPOSE.
  • 🗑️SB1255, Kern (R-27), would restrict Arizona agency rulemaking and substitute the legislative process instead. This would kneecap the state’s ability to regulate unaccountable, wasteful spending, such as with universal ESA vouchers. Vetoed 5/9. OPPOSE.
  • SB1559, Kaiser (R-2), is a state tax cut for corporations. This would drain money from the state General Fund, spelling cuts to K-12 education. Awaits House Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
  • SB1577, Mesnard (R-13), would mandate automatic 50% income tax cuts if Arizona has a surplus. These are permanent cuts to the state general fund – and desperately needed dollars that could be used to bring funding for K-12 schools out of the bottom 5 nationally. Awaits House Rules Committee, then the floor. OPPOSE.
  • HB2003, Livingston (R-28), would slash corporate income taxes nearly in half by 2025. Arizona’s tax giveaways already far outpace the entire state budget. Awaits Senate Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
  • ✅HB2538, Pingerelli (R-28), would allow live, remote instruction for grades 9-12, with bonuses for passing grades. This would monetize learning, leading to cherry-picking of students and other forms of inequity. Wrapped into budget bills. OPPOSE.
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Frustrated by what you see here? Use our one-click email tool to tell lawmakers you want Arizona to focus on real education needs, not bloated boondoggles: bit.ly/prioritizepubliced

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