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Opinion: The courts have overturned Proposition 208, but voters are paying attention - and we are furious over how our leaders are treating Arizona schools.

Beth Lewis| opinion contributor

Why bypassing Proposition 208 is a big political mistake

Columnist Robert Robb did not support Proposition 208. But pretending voters didn't approve the tax hike for education is a massive mistake, he says.

Arizona Republic

Arizona voters were dealt yet another devastating blow when the courts struck down Proposition 208, a voter-approved ballot initiative that would have infused $1 billion annually into our states K-12 classrooms.

These critically needed funds would have finally given Arizona schools a chance to compete with other states, providing our students with the high-quality resources and support they need to succeed.

Instead, Gov. Doug Ducey, Senate President Karen Fann and House Speaker Rusty Bowers opted to ignore the will of Arizona voters, engaging in political gamesmanshipon the backs of Arizona kids.

The impacts of this decision hold far-reaching consequences for real children, families and educators.

The courts ruling is an important, but painful, reminder that our current Legislature and state leadership have utterly failed in the constitutional obligation to fund Arizona schools.

Even more insulting that the loss of Proposition 208 was our lawmakers unabashed glee at the loss of these desperately needed funds a disdainful affront to every voter who simply wants to see kids supported and classrooms funded.

Another view: Ignore that Proposition 208 passed? Big mistake

Its well past time for Arizona voters to connect the dots and vote their values by supporting pro-public education candidates up and down the ballot.

To heap further insult onto injury, Gov. Ducey and legislative leadership are threatening to repeal and replacethe ruinous tax structure that hundreds of thousands of voters referred to the 2022 ballot as Proposition 307.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are doubling down with intrusive education policy proposals, including threatening school closures in low-income communities, punishing teachers, banning books and attacking trans and LGBTQ youth.

This is the party of limited government?

Gov. Ducey claims our state is awash with cash. The Arizona Legislature has a $2 billion surplusand $1.4 billion in the rainy day fund, which it could use to honor voter intent by funding Proposition 208 dollars for classrooms.

However, Arizonas majority lawmakers have demonstrated time and again that they care more about lining the pockets of special interests than they care about the 1.1 million children in Arizona classrooms who are being denied the resources and tools that they deserve.

What they dont realize is that Arizona voters are paying attention and we are furious. Emboldened lawmakers, thoroughly out of touch with their constituents, are overplaying their hands.

Just last week, voters in New Hampshire and Vermont roundly rejected school board candidates seeking to capitalize on culture wars and school privatization. Small-minded, regressive ideologists lost; truth, honesty and democracy won.

Now its our turn, Arizona. Public education advocates have done our part to educate and inform lawmakers about the realities Arizona children are facing.

Parents, students and educators have poured their hearts out to lawmakers.

Weve hosted legislative school tours and forums. Weve collected signatures summer after summer using the constitutional pathways of citizen initiatives and referenda. Weve been reasonable, rational and collaborative to no avail.

Enough is enough.

The Nov. 8 elections cant come soon enough. We will knock on every door. We will call every voter. We will elect candidates who truly support public schools and our kids up and down the ballot.

Its time to get on the right side of history for our students and our state. Join our statewide movement to achieve fully funded public schools in every community at sosarizona.org/volunteer.

Beth Lewis is executive director of Save Our Schools Arizona.

Originally posted here:
Gloat over the demise of Arizona school funding. We'll rally voters in the fall - The Arizona Republic