Open for comment: Lawmaker lets people talk, and they have plenty to say
Hours after the experts had their say – the budget analysts, representatives from the Arizona Board of Regents, and the presidents of the Grand Canyon State’s public universities – the public had a chance to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Jan. 27. Senators got more than they bargained for.
Land trust value drop highlights Ducey education plan risk
A nearly $200 million drop in the value of Arizona's permanent land trust in the past three months highlights the risks of Gov. Doug Ducey's plan to rely on high investment returns to power his school funding plan, state Treasurer Jeff DeWit said this week.
If only it’s that simple
A cursory look at the spending priorities of school districts and charters adds interesting context to the debate on Ducey’s Classrooms First Initiative, a proposal to put more money into the classrooms.
Analysis shows state could face big deficit in wake of school inflation ruling
A state budget analysis shows that Friday’s decision on school inflationary funding by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper could send the state into a severe fiscal jam at a time when revenue collections are falling short of expectations.
Community college board weighs big tuition hike
The governing board overseeing the Maricopa County Community College District is weighing whether to raise tuition rates by 7 percent as it anticipates deep funding cuts by the state.
Biggs says dump regents; regents say dump Biggs’ bill
Sen. Andy Biggs wants Arizona’s universities to have the freedom to choose their own paths, but critics of his plan worry that such freedom will incite more infighting than innovating.
Arizona’s classroom spending less than US average
A state report says Arizona's school districts spend less of their operating fund in the classroom than the national average.
Census data: Arizona second in police, corrections spending, 38th in education
Arizona outspent all but one state on police protection and corrections as a percentage of overall state and local expenditures while its education spending ranked 38th in U.S. Census Bureau data released Wednesday (Sept. 30).