Prop 100 -- Not a Panacea

It was with great appreciation to the voters of Arizona that I applauded the huge margin of victory of Proposition 100 in May. It is an another example of the people of the state doing what is right for public schools and their children. I believe it is a role the state legislature should have played, but legislators rather passed the buck to the voters.

With all the support it engendered, Prop 100 should not be seen as a cure to the budget woes we face in public education. Most school districts still must cut their budgets, although less than previously feared. For example, even with Prop 100 passing, Scottsdale Unified School District has cut nearly 80 teachers from its ranks and made other efficiency moves that will negatively impact the quality of education. As class sizes increase, the teachers who remain will have less ability to provide individual attention to students and to communicate with parents.

Given that the sales tax authorized by Prop 100 is a temporary measure, we must elect legislators who understand the K-12 public school system and are committed to making changes in its function as well as its funding to lay a proper foundation for the future. That is why I am running for State Representative in LD 8.