07/01/2026
I was part of a study group on this measure, and what we discovered is that the only Arizonans that agree with the ballot measure were the ones who were not educated on the matter. By the end of a 2 hour session EVERY SINGLE PERSON on ALL sides of the political spectrum was appalled at these ballot measures. One man who had already signed one said he now highly regretted it. This measure banks on people not educating themselves on the issue. Which, by the way, is the exact goal of the special session.
Copied and pasted
For example, did you know the ESA program is the least abused government funded program in the history of AZ? Only 0.3% of claims have been proven to be egregious, and most of that money has already been recovered. The massive numbers used to state there's massive fraud are not actual accounts of fraud, they are POTENTIAL risks that were the result of state oversight and paperwork. Even if you include all of the claimed fraud and misuse, it still accounts for less than 2% of ESA funds. Perfect? No. But you don't remove a thriving program that helps hundreds of thousands parents and students because of 2%. Ask yourself, if fraud is the issue why doesn't this measure just try and fix that one area?
Did you know that outside of documented special needs cases that are determined by a district recognized doctor, this measure would remove choice for kids who struggle in a traditional classroom? This means kids with learning disabilities, depression, bullying and even some with special needs will be disqualified from ESA and unable to get the education they need. Your kid having issues because of something at home or at school? Unless you get a doctor sign off, you're on your own despite the fact that you watch them struggle every day.
I watched a friend's kid struggle with suicidal depression due to bullying go from that to now thriving in an online school and making friends in the community because of ESA. It saved his life, and that's not an exaggeration.
Did you know that the $150k cap is a salary that is equal to a $75k salary in 2000? That "adjusted for inflation" cap is a joke! On top of that, parents with struggling kids are usually already paying tens of thousands in multiple forms of therapies, tutoring and other programs. You want them to add school on top of that or force them into a school system that's failing kids who AREN'T struggling?
Did you know the ESA program costs taxpayers close to 50% less per child than public schools, yet produces much more prepared kids? With state and local, public education costs taxpayers over $14,500/child. ESA costs $7,400/child.
Did you know that each student that uses ESA actually INCREASES the funds per student in public schools? Each student who leaves the public schools for ESA would actually net public schools MORE money per student while making classrooms LESS crowded. The claim that ESA takes money from public schools is a LIE told by people trying to manipulate voters.
Did you know the AZ public school system has been given significant increases in funds each year, but a majority of those funds go straight to administration, not teachers?
Did you know that despite massive annual funding increases, AZ public school performance has plummeted, resulting in stats like 64% of third graders not being able to read proficiently? Meanwhile, my 3rd grade class in AZ public schools studied the Iliad.
Did you know that Charter schools have significantly better scores than the AZ public schools with significantly less funds from the state and no extra cost to parents? Charter schools operate with roughly $2,000 to $3,000 less per student than traditional district schools. the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University found that Arizona charter school students have more advanced learning and higher average test scores that public school counterparts despite operating without the local property tax revenue that traditional district schools rely on. Funding is not the issue.
Did you know that even though proponents of the measure say "the state is now paying for kids who were already out of the public schools" that over 30% of early applicants were NOT already outside the public school system. That number has steadily increased each year. This means the savings to taxpayers from those kids more than offsets any kids who were already in private school.
Did you know that 76% of students enrolled are below the proposed income cap and that surveys show those in a low income situation who do not use ESA is almost strictly because they don't know how? Online schools are available to ALL students on ESA at a low cost, and the $7400 is more than enough to pay for a online school, a device AND internet. The claim that students whose parents are poor have no options IS A LIE told by people who want to keep them in their situation.
Politicians are using lies, false narratives and twisted stats to manipulate voters. You are not the good guy here. You should dig more into measures before trying to get people to sign them and try and take away proper education from our kids.
