Arizona’s 2027 budget cuts millions in educational funding
June 24
The legislature and Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs recently passed the state budget, which cut tens of millions of dollars from universities, high school and workforce programs.
Advocacy group Education Forward said the budget will hurt education outcomes. Investment in education continues to be top priority for Arizona voters, according to the group.
Education Forward is a nonpartisan group that advocates to improve access to higher education and workforce development, while using research and data to raise awareness around prioritizing areas that need attention.
The group said the state budget’s lack of investment in education falls short of what’s needed to build stronger schools and a competitive workforce.
“The disconnect between voter expectations and the decisions reflected in this budget should be deeply concerning to everyone who cares about the future of the state’s economy,” according to the group’s statement.
Which workforce and education programs received cuts?
- Dual Enrollment, $1.5 million
- Arizona Promise Program, $16.3 million
- Adult Workforce Diploma Program, $2.0 million
- Adult Education Workforce Program, $6.0 million
- Ninth Grade On‑Track Initiative, $3.4 million
- Adult Education Skills Program, $1.0 million
Universities also saw budget cuts including, $8 million from Arizona State University, $2.6 million from Northern Arizona University and a total of $5.7 million from University of Arizona.
The budget also included keeping the controversial Empowerment Scholarship Program as-is and did not create any accountability measures, even as several reports found millions of dollars were misspent within the program.
Education Forward leaders said the lack of state investment and leaving the ESA program open will hurt the state in the long run as Arizona continues to rank at the bottom of the nation when it comes to public school education.
Two areas the state budget did increase funds for include $44.8 million to fund child care and $3 million for out-of-school programs, but the group argued that it’s not enough to make up for the millions of dollars cut from other educational programs.
President of the Arizona Education Association Marisol Garcia, which is the state’s largest teacher’s union, also shared a statement about the educational budget cuts.
“For the last four years, hard-working families have footed the bill for a fraud-ridden voucher program while public schools close and educators flee the classroom,” Garcia said.
“Instead of investing in the 90% of Arizona children who attend public school, this year’s cowardly crop of Republican leaders attacked union educators, demonized vulnerable students, and made a mockery of their own public service.”
On the other side of the aisle Republican leaders found the state budget to be a success. Republican House Speaker Steve Montenegro said in a statement:
“This is what Republican leadership looks like… Arizona families will keep more of what they earn. Parents will keep school choice. Public safety will be funded… That is a major win for Arizona.”
Reporting by “Arizona Horizon” Education Solutions Reporter Roxanne De La Rosa. Her role is made possible through grant funding from the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund and Report for America.
