Democrats, who will take control of both chambers of the Arizona Legislature in January, are promising changes to the state’s school voucher program, known as ESA. According to KJZZ, it is expected to be one of the first items on their agenda.
Democrats won both chambers of the state Legislature for the first time in 60 years, according to KTAR. Together with Gov. Katie Hobbs, who won reelection, they will have full control of the state Capitol. During the campaign, Hobbs said she would crack down on “waste, fraud and abuse” in the ESA program.
The Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program allows families to use public money for private school or homeschooling. In 2022, then-Gov. Doug Ducey and the Republican-controlled Legislature opened it to all students in the state. Since then, the number of participants has grown from about 11,000 to nearly 110,000. The annual cost exceeds $1 billion. There have also been reports of spending unrelated to education, including on jewelry.
According to KJZZ, Democrats do not intend to eliminate universal access to the program entirely. Proposals vary, from rolling back the universal expansion to changes that would limit enrollment and waste. Senate Democratic leader Priya Sundareshan said the program costs more than anticipated and pointed to “significant examples of fraud and abuse.” Asked about Hobbs’ proposals from last year, she said they are “absolutely” on the table.
The Protect Education Act initiative is also returning to the debate. It included, among other things, an income cap of $150,000 for eligible families and background checks for people receiving funds. Republicans in the House of Representatives tried to introduce their own restrictions in a compromise with public school advocates in order to stop the initiative. Now it could return for consideration in the new Legislature.
Commentators on KJZZ’s “The Show” noted that the changes will affect families who currently use ESA. According to KTAR, Democrats will have a qualified majority in the Senate, but not in the House of Representatives. Details of the reforms have not yet been presented.
Source: KJZZ
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