Catching up on the summer news: Over the past few months, 12 News’ Craig Harris has launched a series of hard-hitting investigative reports scrutinizing Arizona’s unaccountable, off-the-rails $1 billion ESA voucher program. Here’s a recap of this work to give you a high-level overview of what he’s found — make some popcorn and take a few breaths, it’s a wild ride 🍿🎢

🤔 Vouchers for the rich: While special interests and former Gov. Ducey touted vouchers as a way to level the educational playing field, the reality is that Arizona’s ESA vouchers have “primarily only helped the rich.” 12 News shows current data that undeniably proves Arizona’s voucher program is geared towards helping the rich pay for private schools their kids were already attending. 

📉 Voucher overspending is causing shortfalls — and tanking our budget: 12 News found vouchers played a key role in an unprecedented $206 million funding shortfall announced by Supt. Tom Horne in May.

🎻 Over $20 million for “luxury” extracurriculars: A 12 News analysis of ESA voucher spending records found that over $20 million in tax dollars has been spent on private dance, piano, and swimming lessons – extras that public school families must pay for on their own. 

💰 $440 million in voucher funding sitting unused: This report uncovered massive amounts of unused voucher funding collecting dust in accounts and points out that while Arizona’s ESA vouchers primarily go to high-income families, funding for Arizona public schools is among the worst in the US. 

⁉️ $38k for Kitchen Appliances: The 12 News team uncovered through a public records request that Arizona taxpayers picked up a $38,248 tab for more than 200 KitchenAid products in one year, including 66 premium mixers that cost $300 to $849, using taxpayer-funded voucher dollars.

Statewide Virtual Call in August! Join Team SOSAZ for a statewide virtual townhall on Sunday, Aug. 10 to hear about the latest in education news from the Supreme Court, federal legislation, the state budget and more. Then hear about all the ways our statewide network of volunteers is fighting back and taking action for public education.

Help Voters on Wednesdays all Summer! Want to help voters who are at risk of being kicked off the voter rolls? Join us for a virtual phone bank every Wednesday from 4-5:30 pm and help voters get re-registered! Training is provided — all experience levels are welcome!

Join our Deep Canvassing Team! Learn all about deep canvassing and how to have meaningful conversations with swing voters. Deep canvassing focuses on listening and connecting with voters to understand their concerns, questions and perspectives on public education. Our Knock & Talk Deep Canvasses are off and running! Sign up for one of our interactive virtual trainings so you can be part of this incredible team of changemakers.

From Page to Power: A Justice-Focused Book Club by Save Our Schools Arizona Network! Join us virtually on Sunday, July 13 and August 10 from 3:00-4:00 pm over Zoom to discuss our next read Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy by Dr. Gholdy Muhammad! No pressure to finish the book—come for the conversation. Let’s read, reflect, and build power for Arizona’s public schools! Sign up to get the zoom info!

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