Governor Doug Ducey, during an interview with AZPM's Lorraine Rivera from January 2016.Gov. Doug Ducey said Wednesday the $9.58 billion state budget passed earlier in the day demonstrates his commitment to education funding at all levels.
Speaking at a Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce luncheon, the Republican governor pointed to more funding in the budget for career and technical education, the state's public universities and K-12 education as indicators of his "continuing to prioritize" public education.
“This budget continues to make investments in K-12 education - $181 million in addition to what we’ll put in from Prop. 123," Ducey said.
He did not mention that most of that increase in spending - $130 million - was required by the state Constitution and state law to cover inflation and enrollment increases, or that another $31 million came from a push by moderate Republicans that was not in his or the Republican legislative leadership's original proposals.
"This includes millions to support career and technical education, plus a commitment to ongoing funding," Ducey said. "We have incentive awards for schools that graduate students who successfully complete AP level college prep courses."
He mentioned increased funding for the state's three public universities as he praised the University of Arizona for its status as a top 20 public university research institution.
He said it was easier this year than last to put money in the budget for education and other needs.
“It’s a much different budget when you actually have some money to spend versus some of the difficult decisions we had to make over a year ago," he said.
That was when the governor agreed to cut university funding by $99 million and a K-12 funding formula change that would have taken millions from schools in the next fiscal year. The budget was passed and signed in March, four months before the state reported a surplus of $330 million.
Ducey called on the audience to support Proposition 123 in the May 17 special election, to help put an estimated $3.5 billion into school coffers over the next decade.
Watch Arizona Week Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. on PBS 6 for Lorraine Rivera's sit-down interview with Gov. Doug Ducey.
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