Arizona

Hobbs announces plan to reform Arizona school voucher program

Published

2 years ago

January 3, 2024

Hobbs announces plan to reform Arizona school voucher program

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Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, on Tuesday introduced a plan to rein in Arizona’s expanded school voucher program, but the proposal is likely to receive a cold reception in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Since the Empowerment Scholarship Account program was expanded by Republican lawmakers and former Gov. Doug Ducey in 2022 — making all Arizona students eligible for vouchers — the cost of the program has surpassed expectation. Hobbs’ office estimated in July that vouchers could cost the state nearly $1 billion this fiscal year.

Democrats have argued the state can’t afford the ballooning cost of the program as Arizona faces a $400 million budget deficit.

Hobbs tried, but failed, to scale back universal expansion of vouchers in 2023. Now, many of Hobbs’ proposals aim to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately.

That includes requiring the Arizona Department of Education to manually approve all voucher purchases exceeding $500, and giving the Auditor General more oversight of private school spending.

“The ESA program lacks accountability and transparency,” Hobbs said in a press release. “With this plan, we can keep students safe, protect taxpayer dollars, and give parents and students the information they need to make an informed choice about their education.

Following reports that some Arizona private schools raised tuition by thousands of dollars following the expansion, Hobbs also wants to ban private schools that receive voucher money from increasing tuition at a rate higher than inflation.

The plan would also require that a student attended a public school for at least 100 days before they are eligible to receive voucher money.

Republican lawmakers have ardently opposed Democratic efforts to restrict the voucher since the 2022 expansion.

Ben Toma at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s 2023 awards ceremony

“My colleagues and I support your right to school choice and will defend it,” House Speaker Ben Toma (R-Peoria) told parents at a committee hearing in November. “And don’t be discouraged by the detractors … follow the rules, ignore the noise.”

But at least one of Hobbs’ proposals is already in place, said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.

Horne, a Republican, said the Department of Education already reviews all expenditures “regardless of amount.”

“In 2023, we rejected several thousand ESA applications for lack of adequate documentation and suspended almost 2,200 accounts totaling $21 million because the student was enrolled in a public school,” Horne said in a statement. “We’ve also rejected more than 12,000 ESA purchase order requests.”

Hobbs also proposed several changes to the voucher system to impose accountability measures on private schools that mirror existing rules for public schools.

That includes requiring teachers at private schools that receive voucher dollars to pass a fingerprint background check and meet minimum education standards, and requiring the Department of Education to publish graduation and absenteeism rates for those schools.

Hobbs’ plan would also require all private schools to provide services to ESA students with disabilities in line with those students’ individualized learning or Section 504 plans.

Arizona

Arizona leaders warn of prediction market loophole

Published

2 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Press Room

Arizona leaders warn of prediction market loophole

More than $1.75 billion is expected to be legally gambled on the Super Bowl this weekend, and a new type of operator is looking to get in on some of that action. Prediction markets like Kalshi advertise that they’re legal in every state, but the Arizona Department of Gaming doesn’t see it that way.

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Arizona

Law enforcement involved in 5 shootings across Arizona in 24 hours

Published

14 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Press Room

Law enforcement involved in 5 shootings across Arizona in 24 hours

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A 24-hour stretch across Arizona saw five law enforcement-involved shootings across three counties, including a helicopter crash in Flagstaff that killed two DPS crew members.

Flagstaff shootout leads to helicopter crash

Two DPS crew members were killed in a helicopter crash after a police shootout in Flagstaff on Wednesday night.

The incident started shortly after 8 p.m. and involved a domestic violence suspect jumping from roof to roof and firing down on law enforcement. The incident ended with him being shot and transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

During the shooting, DPS’s Ranger 52 helicopter crashed, killing the pilot and the trooper-paramedic who were on board. What caused the crash is still under investigation.

No other law enforcement personnel were injured. The suspect has not yet been publicly identified.

Aerial video showed the scene of the Ranger 52 helicopter crash after a police-involved shooting in Flagstagg on Feb. 4, 2026.(Arizona’s Family)

Armed woman shot in Maryvale

A woman is in the hospital after being shot by police when she reportedly pointed a gun at officers in Maryvale on Thursday afternoon.

Phoenix police boxed the woman’s car in near 71st Avenue and Thomas Road to detain her in connection with a homicide case. Police say she pointed a gun at officers before one of the officers shot her.

The woman, who has not been publicly identified, was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition, police said. No officers were hurt.

Aerial video showed undercover officers boxing in a blue SUV after a police shooting in... — Aerial video showed undercover officers boxing in a blue SUV after a police shooting in Maryvale Feb. 5, 2026.(Arizona’s Family)

Trooper shot in Phoenix

One DPS trooper was shot, and two other people were hurt after a shooting in central Phoenix on Thursday evening.

Around 7 p.m., SWAT troopers were serving a “high-risk search warrant” at the A & F Trailer and RV park near 24th Avenue and Indian School Road, just east of Interstate 17, according to DPS.

While sources told Arizona’s Family that two others were hurt, DPS officials have only confirmed that “at least one trooper was injured in the shooting.”

Details on the troopers’ conditions and what led to the shooting were not immediately available. No suspects have been publicly identified.

Aerial video showed an extremely active scene after a trooper-involved shooting in Phoenix on... — Aerial video showed an extremely active scene after a trooper-involved shooting in Phoenix on Feb. 5, 2026.(Arizona’s Family)

Suspect shot in leg after traffic stop in Chandler

A suspect is in the hospital after being shot while running from a traffic stop and firing a gun in Chandler on Thursday night.

Just after 8 p.m., Chandler police stopped a vehicle near Arizona Avenue and Riggs Road before the passenger reportedly got out, started running and shot a gun.

The suspect, who has not yet been publicly identified, was shot in the leg and bitten by a police K-9. The suspect is in stable condition.

Photos show and active scene after a police-involved shooting in Chandler on Feb. 5, 2026.(Arizona’s Family)

Machete-wielding man shot, killed in Coolidge

A machete-wielding suspect was shot and killed by police in Coolidge on Thursday night.

Just before 8 p.m., Coolidge police were responding to a domestic disturbance in front of their station when the suspect refused to drop his machete before being shot.

The man, who has not been publicly identified, died from his injuries. Police say no officers were hurt.

There have been 15 law enforcement-involved shootings in Arizona this year. Six of them have been in Maricopa County.

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Arizona

Arizona DPS trooper, suspect wounded near I-17

Published

1 day ago

February 6, 2026

Press Room

Arizona DPS trooper, suspect wounded near I-17

An Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper and a suspect were injured by gunfire while an agency SWAT team was serving a high-risk search warrant Feb. 5.

At least one trooper was wounded and taken to a hospital, DPS said in a statement. The suspect, also wounded, was taken into custody, DPS said.

The troopers were serving the warrant in the 2400 block of West Indian School Road, DPS said. Traffic on nearby Interstate 17 was disrupted by the large police presence.

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