Arizona

Arizona Now Has A Universal School Voucher Program. Who Really Benefits From It?

Published

2 years ago

November 15, 2022

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Arizona Now Has A Universal School Voucher Program. Who Really Benefits From It?

Right here. Go purchase a few slices oif schooling.

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Arizona was the primary state to implement the kind of faculty vouchers generally known as schooling financial savings accounts. In an ESA, the household is given a stack of public tax {dollars} to spend on educating their baby.

These vouchers have been initially focused at college students attending public colleges with a D or F grade from the state, college students with particular wants, and kids of lively army, in addition to another slender {qualifications}. This summer season, Arizona expanded these eligibility necessities to incorporate each scholar within the state.

That trajectory for varsity alternative coverage will not be uncommon. It’s typical for alternative supporters to get a foot within the door by aiming the insurance policies at college students in “failing” colleges or with particular wants. Now that the appliance interval for the common vouchers is over, an image of who will probably be served by them can emerge. A brand new evaluation by the Grand Canyon Institute, a “centrist suppose tank” in Arizona, finds that the brand new system is not targeted on serving to poor college students escape “failing” colleges.

Says GCI, “These vouchers primarily profit wealthier households.” GCI discovered that no zip codes with a median earnings above $80,000 (effectively above the state median earnings) have colleges receiving a D or F grade from the state. These wealthier zip codes account for 45% of common ESA candidates. These zip codes that do embody a “failing” faculty solely account for 3.5% of the common ESA candidates.

80% of common ESA candidates aren’t in public colleges. Which means one in all two issues should occur. Both the state should give you extra funding (about $177 million in GCI’s estimate), or faculty districts will ship funding to “observe” these college students, despite the fact that the discount in prices for the district will probably be $0.

Arizona already has “in depth subsidy applications” for personal colleges. A tax credit score scholarship program permits companies and personal people to make a contribution to scholarship funds in lieu of tax fee; in 2021 that meant that $250 went to non-public colleges as an alternative of the state coffers. These contributions are funneled via numerous scholarship organizations (the 2 largest such organizations in Arizona are the Arizona Christian Faculty Tuition Group and Catholic Schooling Arizona).

The unique ESA program appears to be like to value round $190 million. GCI estimates that common ESAs will add one other $180 million, in order that Arizona taxpayers will, immediately or not directly, subsidize personal colleges for round $600 million.

What taxpayers get for that cash will not be completely clear. A voucher of roughly $7,000 is of restricted use in a state the place the typical personal faculty tuition is over $10,000, and personal colleges retain the suitable to simply accept or reject college students as they select.

Whereas constitution colleges in Arizona are required to do audits and observe state curriculum necessities, recipients of voucher cash don’t have these sorts of necessities. Dave Wells, analysis director of GCI, notes that personal colleges are free to discriminate and observe no matter tutorial program they like.

The low stage of accountability and oversight for a way that $600 million is spent is a trigger for concern. Wells argues that “the laws has little concern for a way successfully these colleges are educating college students.”

The Arizona Schooling Affiliation famous in April that Arizona is close to the underside of the states when evaluating schooling funding to the state’s financial system, in addition to trailing in trainer wage and per pupil spending. Governor Doug Ducey’s 2021 funds touted a giant funding in schooling, although a lot of that funding was in constitution colleges and vouchers, quite than public schooling.

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Arizona

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for June 30, 2024

Published

1 hour ago

July 1, 2024

Press Room

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for June 30, 2024

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Arizona offers Powerball, Mega Millions, The Pick, Triple Twist, Fantasy 5 and Pick 3 as well as Scratchers, Quick Draw and Fast Play.

Lottery players have seen enormous jackpots recently, with previous winners of both the Powerball and Mega Millions breaking into the top 10 largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history. Money raised from Arizona lottery games goes toward funding higher education, health and human services, environmental conservation and economic and business development in the state.

Pick 3

2-0-3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Fantasy 5

05-12-16-19-38

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Triple Twist

01-08-11-19-30-40

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:

Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy Arizona lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Arizona

Diamondbacks Reportedly DFA Veteran Catcher Tucker Barnhart

Published

9 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Press Room

Diamondbacks Reportedly DFA Veteran Catcher Tucker Barnhart

According to the Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, the Arizona Diamondbacks have reportedly designated veteran catcher Tucker Barnhart for assignment. The move has not yet been made official by the team.

This will free up a roster spot for primary catcher Gabriel Moreno to make his return from the 10-day IL on time, as was expected.

Barnhart, 33, had signed a minor league deal with the club to compete and eventually win the backup catcher role, but, in his limited playing time, had failed to create much of an impact both offensively and defensively.

Such is to be expected of an aging backup catcher, but his .173/.287/.210 slash stands out, despite putting together a couple of clutch RBI hits in recent weeks. Barnhart served as a calming veteran presence for a number of pitchers on the staff, but, at a certain point, a complete lack of production at the plate and defensive prowess gives reason to sacrifice his off-field value.

It comes as a bit of a surprise that Arizona opted to part with the veteran, rather than optioning Jose Herrera back to Triple-A Reno, although Herrera’s low numbers are currently the result of a small sample size. The 27-year-old slashed .260/.351/.362 in Triple-A, and has been with the D-backs’ organization since 2013, signing initially at 16 years old.

This move also implies that Arizona is comfortable moving forward with young prospect Adrian Del Castillo serving as their catcher depth, in the event of another injury to Moreno or Herrera.

Del Castillo has been an offensive force in Reno, slashing a monstrous .324/.399/.603 with 30 doubles, 15 home runs and 49 RBI in 49 games. He’s not the defensive wizard that the D-backs have in Moreno, and provides little value in controlling baserunners, but it’s hard to ignore offensive numbers of that magnitude, even in a hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

But it’s not just Del Castillo raking in Triple-A. Behind him on the depth chart is 26-year-old Ronaldo Hernandez.

Hernandez spent time with the Boston Red Sox in 2022 and 2023, and was signed to a minor league deal with the D-backs in January of 2024. He’s hitting at a relatively close second to Del Castillo. Although only playing 34 games, he’s slashing .333/.379/.556, with six doubles and six home runs.

In any event, the decision to DFA Barnhart does offer some clarity on Arizona’s long-term plans at the catcher position. Although a backup catcher is not generally the player with the strongest bat, the team is likely looking to get younger, and, of course, hope they don’t have to make do without their young stud Moreno for more than an occasional day off going forward.

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Arizona

Evacuation orders lifted for some Arizona residents forced from their homes days ago by a wildfire

Published

16 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Press Room

Evacuation orders lifted for some Arizona residents forced from their homes days ago by a wildfire

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Evacuation orders in Arizona have been lifted for some residents of northeast Scottsdale, days after they were forced from their homes by a wildfire, authorities said Sunday.

The Boulder View Fire was 19% contained Sunday after charring nearly 6 square miles (15 square kilometers) on the cusp of the Boulder Heights subdivision since Thursday.

About 60 homes were evacuated Friday. No injuries have been reported and no structures have been damaged.

Authorities said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. It began about 5 miles (8 kilometers) outside northern Scottsdale on the edge of the Tonto National Forest.

Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management officials said evacuations were lowered from “GO” to “SET” status Saturday evening for some displaced residents preparing to return home.

Scottsdale officials have notified homeowners that the north part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, including all trails, will be closed until further notice. They called that a precautionary move and said there was no immediate threat to the preserve.

Tiffany Davila, a spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, said nearly 270 firefighters were battling the wildfire in triple-digit heat on Sunday.

She said there was a chance of thunderstorms in the fire area Sunday evening and that could make firefighting efforts more complicated due to gusty winds and lightning strikes.

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