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Wins and losses for both sides in K-12 settlement
Gov. Doug Ducey called lawmakers into a special session on Oct. 28 to vote on a settlement agreement worked out between schools and the Legislature that could end five years of litigation over K-12 education funding. Here, in a nutshell, is a look at the compromise from the point of view of the schools and the state.
Settlement deal survives blistering attack in committee
A package of measures aimed at settling a long-running lawsuit by giving schools $3.5 billion over 10 years inched closer to reality after surviving a blistering challenge in the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning.
Lawmakers fast-tracking special session education funding package
Lawmakers will likely vote on a deal to settle the five-year lawsuit over education inflation funding today, after Democratic leaders in the House late Wednesday night agreed to provide the necessary votes to fast-track the proposal that they largely oppose.
Democrats short one senator for special session
Senate Democrats will be short a vote if lawmakers are called back to the Capitol for a special session this week.
Senators told to be ready for special session work Wednesday
Senate President Andy Biggs has told members to be prepared for a special legislative session to start in just a day.
Senate Republicans get school funding briefings, House next
An anticipated special session of the Arizona Legislature to boost funding for K-12 schools appears at least several weeks away as proposals between Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Doug Ducey continues to be in flux.
Until we meet again… Maybe in a special session
The Associated Press reported this morning that House Republicans were being summoned to small-group meetings to discuss education funding options in advance of a possible special session. The initial report was that meetings were scheduled for today, tomorrow and Wednesday, though House sources said this morning that today’s meetings were being rescheduled because of a scheduling conflict.
No agreement on how to make a session special
Several sources say that a special session for education funding is likely to occur by the end of the calendar year, and perhaps as soon as next month. What would be debated in that session is less clear, as sources told our reporter that Ducey and Biggs are the driving forces behind that discussion and are still at odds over what lawmakers would consider.
One man does not a special session make
Boyer has been beating the drum for a special session in order to call a special election for Ducey’s land trust proposal, raising the possibility over the weekend on 12 News’ “Sunday Square-Off” and last week during a tele-town hall with the governor. But so far, his enthusiasm hasn’t been shared by leadership.
School groups call for special session on inflation funding
A throng of education groups urged Gov. Doug Ducey today to call a special session to use a budget surplus to settle a nearly $2 billion lawsuit over inflation funding for public schools.
Educators say legislative budget error could cost district charter schools millions
When lawmakers approved the state budget in March, they accidentally left out one key part. Because of the omission, several longstanding district-sponsored charter schools – public schools that have reorganized as charter schools to capture more state funding – will be on the hook for tens of millions of dollars in back payments.
Burning a hole in their pockets
With the latest JLBC monthly fiscal highlights showing revenues exceeding projections to the tune of $233 million, talk of budget revisions has increased among Republicans in the Legislature. Several Republicans said if the Legislature has to go into a special session for redistricting, or any of the other looming issues that could lead to a special session, they want the governor to include budge[...]
