ACT NOW: Fight ESA Vouchers Wrapped into Prop 123 Renewal

AZ Republican lawmakers are attempting to hold Prop 123 hostage by forcing in a voucher poison pill. In strikers to HB2185 and SB1240, they enshrine vouchers into our state constitution with NO guardrails, accountability or transparency — while jeopardizing desperately needed dollars for AZ classrooms and teacher pay. It’s time to hold these lawmakers accountable.

Prop 123, passed by voters in 2016, is the initiative designed to pump additional funds into public schools, and it will expire within a few months. Lawmakers are attempting to insert a virtually unregulated universal voucher program into the Arizona Constitution.

In addition to taking money from public schools, vouchers for private schools were a primary force in creating a $1.4 billion budget shortfall in Arizona in 2024. To fix that deficit, Arizona's lawmakers made cuts to state programs and projects—like water infrastructure programs, highway expansions and repairs, and improvements to air conditioning in state prisons.

Arizona's voucher program, specifically the Education Savings Account (ESA) program, has faced several criticisms, including significant budget overruns, concerns about accountability and transparency, and the potential for inequitable distribution of funds. Additionally, there are concerns about the program's impact on public schools and the possibility of students losing protections afforded by public education. (See the bottom of this page for a more detailed look at the problems.) 

Join Save Our Schools Arizona for Zoom Power Hours over the next few days to call lawmakers. Your help is essential! Sign up HERE for either day.    Weds May 7, 4-5 pm Thurs May 8, 5-6 pm   If you can't join, you can take these actions on your own: Call Your Lawmakers: Go here to find yourlawmakers: azleg.gov/findmylegislator  Example Script: Hi, my name is  _____________, I live in legislative district ______. I’d like Representative/Senator ___________ to know that I support a clean Prop 123 renewal that does NOT include ESA vouchers. Enshrining the ESA voucher program into the state Constitution is incredibly reckless and would severely limit the Arizona legislature’s ability to put even basic guardrails on the program. Lawmakers should not be holding Prop 123 funding hostage from Arizona kids to protect private school vouchers. I urge Senator/Representative ___________ to listen to their constituents and vote NO on any Prop 123 renewal that attempts to enshrine vouchers in our state constitution. Thank you! Call the Sponsors of the Voucher Proposal: As the lawmakers moving this proposal forward, please also take some time to call: Rep. Matt Gress (R-4) - (602) 926-4105 Senator JD Mesnard (R-13) - (602) 926-4481     We need to flood the phones! Remember if you call during office hours, you'll probably get a friendly administrative assistant who will just tally your position. If you call after hours, please leave a message!   Thank you for this much-needed activism!   Here's a more detailed look at the problems with vouchers: 1. Financial Overruns and Budget Impact: Arizona's ESA program has seen its costs soar beyond initial projections. The original estimated cost of $65 million for FY 2024 ballooned to over $300 million, according to First Focus on Children.  The program has contributed to a state budget deficit of over $1.4 billion, reports ProPublica.  This financial burden has led to budget cuts in other vital public services, potentially disproportionately impacting low-income communities and communities of color. 2. Lack of Accountability and Transparency: Arizona's ESA vouchers have been criticized for lacking transparency and accountability measures. There are no requirements for private schools to meet state educational standards, conduct background checks on staff, or ensure safe learning environments, according to Governing. This lack of oversight raises concerns about the potential for misuse of taxpayer funds and the quality of education provided to students.  3. Unequal Access and Impact on Low-Income Students: While the ESA program is intended to be a choice for all students, low-income families are less likely to use the vouchers, reports ProPublica.  This is due to factors like the location of private schools, additional costs like transportation and uniforms, and the fact that vouchers may not cover the full cost of private school tuition, according to ProPublica.  The program has been criticized for benefiting wealthier families who were already able to afford private school tuition and for potentially siphoning funds from public schools serving low-income and rural communities.  4. Loss of Protections and Discrimination Concerns: Parents using ESA vouchers are required to sign away certain federal protections, including those for students with disabilities, notes Governing. This has raised concerns about the potential for state-funded discrimination against LGBTQ students, English language learners, and students with disabilities.  5. Impact on Public Schools: Critics argue that the ESA program diverts public funds away from public schools, potentially leading to cuts in funding and services.  This can negatively impact public schools, especially in rural communities that rely heavily on state funding.