Arizona Education Network

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A fifth special session has been called by Governor Brewer to address the remaining $1.6 billion deficit. Governor Brewer controls the topics debated in any special session through the subjects she lists in the “call” for the special session.  This session includes a three-bill package:.
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1) $200 million in lump sum cuts and sweeps of agencies, which does NOT include K-12 education due to recent cuts
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2) A one-cent temporary sales tax referral for three years.
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3) Now a four-year suspension of the Voter Protection Act (VPA) in which a State Emergency Fund is created consisting of 50% of monies collected by seven measures, including Propostion 301.

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So, what does this all mean?

The Governor has asked the legislature to include a provision that would send a ballot measure to the voters allowing legislators to overturn the Arizona Voter Protection Act, a constitutional provision that protects spending on programs passed by the voters from legislative tampering.
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Such a measure would allow the legislature to access monies put aside under Proposition 301 and Arizona’s Early Childhood Initiative. Proposition 301 was passed by Arizona voters in 2000 for the purpose of providing funds for smaller class sizes, soft capital costs (such as books, computers and classroom supplies), utilities and teacher pay incentives.

Arizona’s Early Childhood Initiative (also known as “First Things First“), is a voter-approved initiative passed in 2006 to help support early childhood development and health care programs. Under the initiative, a tax on tobacco products was specifically created to fund these programs.

Since Governor Brewer included Voter Protected Acts in the Special Session, it is now only in the hands of the legislators.
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Please contact YOUR legislator today! For a link to their contact information, click here.
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Talking Points:

• Let them know that you want them to defeat the Voter Protection Act submission.

• Let them know that you value public education and oppose further cuts.

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Media Links:

Brewer makes official call for 5th special session, AZ Capital Times, December 15, 2009

Brewer calls special session on Thursday, AZ Republic, December 15, 2009

Dem says special session won’t be smooth, AZ Republic, December 15, 2009

Legislative Handout:

Special Session Proposed Cuts , pdf

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Tags: Arizona budget, arizona education, Arizona education budget, Arizona education funding, Arizona education standards, Arizona Legislature, Arizona schools, arizona senate, Arizona teachers, Arizona tuition, bob burns, budget, Contact Governor Brewer, education, Governor Jan Brewer, Jan Brewer, k-12 education funding, Kirk Adams

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 at 1:41 PM and is filed under Education Funding and the Budget, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.