Coconino News

Speaker Ben Toma has criticized Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs for her comments on the Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) program, stating that her claims of the program being unsustainable and exceeding estimates are false. Toma emphasized that if Hobbs wants changes to the ESA program, she should propose serious policies instead of making vague threats. He also highlighted that Arizona is committed to responsibly funding students, not systems.

Governor Hobbs released a statement expressing her concerns about the impact of the school voucher program on the state's budget. She called on Superintendent Tom Horne, Speaker Toma, and President Petersen to work together to bring accountability to the program and end what she described as wasteful spending. According to the Governor's Office, Hobbs urged Horne to address excessive spending and take measures to curb it.

In response to Hobbs' request, Horne, Toma, and Peterson reaffirmed their support for ESAs. Horne stated that the Governor's calculation was in error, as she did not take into account the $13,000 that would otherwise be spent per student attending a public school. He argued that the overall numbers show that expenditures for all public school spending, including the ESA program, are $72 million below budget.

Hobbs has been a vocal critic of school choice and has promised to repeal a major school choice bill from July 2022. This bill expanded ESA access and allocated $7,000 per child for alternatives to public education, making it one of the most substantial expansions in the nation.

The Arizona ESA program was initially limited to certain categories of students, such as those with disabilities, students in failing public schools, and wards of the court. However, a recent comprehensive school choice bill significantly broadened ESA access, making it available to all students.

A survey commissioned by the "yes. every kid. foundation" in August showed that 63% of Arizona voters support school choice. Among Republicans, 78% expressed support, while among Independents, 61% favored school choice. Among Democrats, 48% were in favor of school choice. Additionally, 78% of parents supported the program. However, Governor Hobbs has limited support within the state, with an approval rating of only 34%, according to the same survey.

The Arizona House also issued a statement confirming that the state's education budget is currently on target, citing a recent report from the Department of Education. The statement highlighted that the budget is on pace to have a year-end surplus of approximately $77 million. It also stated that the budget estimate for the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Program, with a total of 68,000 users, is within 1% of the current program enrollment.