Proposition 123: Arizona educators urge lawmakers to renew funding bill
Arizona educators held a rally at the state Capitol on March 12, demanding lawmakers make funding public education a priority this session.
PHOENIX - Arizona educators held a rally at the state Capitol on Wednesday, demanding lawmakers make funding public education a priority this session.
What they're saying:
The rally was organized by the Arizona Education Association, who marched and chanted outside the House and Senate buildings, asking legislators to put Proposition 123 before voters this August.
"What we need is a bold plan for legislators," said AEA President Marisol Garcia. "What you're going to get is educators who are not going to let this system fail."
The backstory:
Proposition 123 was passed in 2016 by voters, but expires at the end of June. The measure allows the state to take nearly 7% out of the land trust fund, up from 2.5%, to pay for school districts' expenses. The measure has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to schools over the last 10 years.
Union officials have said that frustration among state educators is growing. Resources are inadequate, classes are overcrowded, and teachers don't feel supported.
"Parents should care very deeply. The state is going to have to end up dealing with a lot of financial responsibility under the current national administration," said Garcia. "So it’s our job in the state to do what’s best for our kids. This is a perfect way to go. It does not increase taxes for anyone, it actually ensures that money coming from the land trust is given to the schools, from 2.5 to 6.9."
"We do not have a teacher shortage, y'all," said State Rep. Nancy Gutierrez (D-Dist. 18). "We have a shortage of teachers who are willing to put up with this anymore."
By the numbers:
Governor Katie Hobbs supports extending Prop. 123's 6.9% draw for another 10 years. Sen. J.D. Mesnard (R-Chandler), who sponsored a mirror bill in the Arizona Senate, said Republicans are considering a similar proposal to maintain Proposition 123’s 6.9% draw for another 10 years.
As for proceeds, Gov. Hobbs wants to put the estimated $300 million towards teacher pay raises and general school expenses, while Republicans only want to put it towards wage increases.
The AEA says the longer they take, the stronger the likelihood the proposition doesn't go before voters until 2026.
AZ educators rally at State Capitol over funding
Advocates are calling on Arizona state lawmakers to properly fund education in the state during an event at the Arizona State Capitol on March 12.