The Empowerment Scholarship Program: Impact on Arizona’s Budget
Arizona’s superintendent of schools recently addressed concerns about the state’s budget, revealing that the Department of Education managed to meet its financial obligations for the past school year with a surplus of $4 million. This accomplishment sheds light on the ongoing debate surrounding the Empowerment Scholarship Program (ESA), a private school voucher program that has been a significant part of the department’s budget.
Tom Horne, the superintendent of schools, emphasized that the overall surplus proves that ESAs are not a threat to Arizona’s budget. Despite claims from Democratic state legislators that the ESA program has increased the state’s expenses, the numbers tell a different story.
Last year, the Empowerment Scholarship Program accounted for approximately $718 million in expenses, exceeding the projections made by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee by $93 million. However, other areas of education spending, such as charter schools and school districts, came in under budget, contributing to the overall surplus.
Horne dismissed past warnings about ESAs straining the state budget as a “myth” that has now been debunked by the surplus. On the other hand, State Democrat Minority Whip Nancy Guttierez, a public school teacher, expressed concern that despite the surplus, cuts have been made in key areas such as poverty weights, state universities, and schools for the deaf and blind.
Implications for Education Funding
While there has been an increase in overall education funding, it may not be sufficient to keep up with inflation, leading to concerns about the impact on educators and support staff. Legislators are faced with the challenge of balancing the budget while ensuring that essential services are not compromised.
Stay Informed with 12News
For the latest local news and updates, download the 12News app to receive breaking news alerts on your phone. You can also watch live events and on-demand videos through the 12News+ app on streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
Stay connected with 12News on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to stay informed about current events and developments in Arizona.
