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Empowerment Scholarship Account

Feb 4, 2026

Why education choice and Arizona’s ESA program matter

Education is one of the most personal and consequential issues facing Arizona families. The way we educate our children shapes not only their futures, but the future of our communities […]

Jan 10, 2026

Pressure mounts at Capitol to extend Proposition 123

Key Points:  Proposition 123 is on Legislature’s radar, but no clear details on reaching consensus  Democrats seek clean renewal, Republicans still aim to tie in school choice Conversations come amid […]

Dec 5, 2025

Questionable ESA spending soars as AG considers legal action against Horne

Key Points:  ESA misspending referrals surge, totaling 20 times last year Attorney general considers litigation amid disputes over auditing practices  Department of Education claims lack of prosecutorial support The Arizona […]

school vouchers written on a chalkboard
Oct 6, 2025

I sponsored Arizona’s original ESA and Congresswoman Ansari is wrong.

Sponsoring the creation of Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program back in 2011 is probably the legislation I’m most proud of from my time serving in the Arizona House.  Education […]

Aug 24, 2025

Education department under fire for improper ESA purchases

Key Points:  ESA program faces sharp backlash after spending on improper, luxury items  Auditor General and ESA leadership start to consult on risk-based auditing Changes to department practices, jurisdiction of […]

Jun 7, 2025

Parents expand their purchasing power in latest draft of ESA handbook

Key Points: Parents eliminated price caps in new ESA Handbook draft  Lawmakers submitted the draft for review State superintendent declined to consider proposal Lawmakers proposed cutting any spending limits and […]

May 25, 2025

Stacey Brown: School choice on the homefront

Stacey Brown is first and foremost a homeschool mom. But educating her three children using the Empowerment Scholarship Account program propelled Brown to the grassroots — placing her at press […]

Feb 19, 2025

Defense blames officials in ESA trial of ex-employee accused in $614K theft

Higher ups in the Arizona Department of Education pressured staff to expedite purchase requests for the Empowerment Scholarship Account, a defense attorney alleged on the first day of trial for a former employee accused of stealing money from the program.

Jan 21, 2025

Appropriations chair says Hobbs’ voucher proposal dead

Rep. David Livingston of Peoria, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, said Republicans who control the Legislature won't stand for Hobbs' plan ...

Dec 2, 2024

More indictments related to voucher program come, Horne touts safeguards

A state grand jury returned another fraud indictment related to the Empowerment Scholarship Account program Monday.

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Dec 15, 2023

State agency spends millions marketing vouchers

The Arizona Department of Education is on track to spend about $2.5 million on advertising for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, or school vouchers, through the end of the year. 

ESA, rural families, education, Arizona Department of Education
Jul 13, 2023

ESA red tape strands rural mom

Angela Amezcua, an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) parent, does not want to drive six hours to pick up her children’s school supplies. She would much rather drive a half hour into town, where she works, buys groceries and supplies and pick up her mail at a UPS P.O. box, but the Arizona Department of Education won’t allow the use of her P.O. box for ESA orders.

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