School Funding

The Arizona Legislature is prioritizing the will of partisan voters over the needs of young people, writes Star contributor Heather Mace.

OPINION: "Arizonans have long enjoyed an expansive right to make law via referendum, though doing so requires great attention to detail and a massive effort to collect signatures. This year, however, the Legislature is asking you to make it harder to have your say," writes Sybil Francis, president and CEO of Center for the Future of Arizona.

OPINION: "It is time to elect an Arizona government that values universally accessible and accountable public education as the anchor of our democracy," writes Tucsonan Dorothy Johnson.

OPINION: "To preserve public education, we must exercise our constitutional right of referendum – the right to refer a law to the ballot so that voters can decide whether to keep it or reject it," writes Tucsonan Lisa Wolfe.  

OPINION: "But I'm not writing (just) to moan about inadequate funding. The challenges in our public schools are complex. Financial investment alone won't fix them, but I know something that can help: everyday people investing their time as volunteers," writes Tucson reading volunteer Eric Van Meter.

OPINION: "As we approach election season, I urge Arizonans to pay close attention to which candidates are using their platforms to vilify teachers and what purpose it serves," writes Star contributor Heather Mace. 

OPINION: "Regrettably, our governor and Legislature’s historic underfunding for K-12 shows they are unwilling to invest in our students’ education. When voters clearly demonstrate our commitment to our K-12 students and educators, as we did by passing Proposition 208, it is unconscionable for the majority of representatives in Phoenix to cast aside our will," writes Judi Moreillon, an education advocate in Tucson.