Arizona
Arizona school voucher program likely to cost tax payers much more than previously thought
PHOENIX – Arizona Superintendent of Public Schools Tom Horne is estimating close to a hundred thousand applicants to the current voucher program, and the move could cost around $900 million of taxpayer money.
It was expected to cost the taxpayers $500 million next year, but Horne just announced it will cost around $900 million.
Critics have questioned where the funds will come from in the state budget and the lack of oversight once funding is dispersed to families.
The cost is astronomically higher than the original estimate of $30 million a year.
Horne says the reason the numbers jumped so much is that new data has come in. He expects the number of applicants to reach that 100,000 by the end of the 2024 fiscal year.
“There are currently 61,000 students in the ESA program, including 3,000 that are in the queue. That is from a period of a little over half a year since this became a universal program. Our projection is not only for the next year, but actually for 13 months, and we’re projecting 39,000 more,” Horne said.
The voucher program started in 2016 but became a universal option in 2022, giving parents the ability to take money allocated for their child in public school and apply it to any private school of their choice.
School voucher program price increases by millions
“My main duty is to encourage excellence in public schools, and we have a lot of excellent public schools, but if their child’s needs are not being met. They need to know that they have a choice,” he said.
The President of the Arizona Education Association (AEA) says families don’t fully understand what they’re signing up for and believes the expansion of the program will negatively affect those students and public educators.
“It means that we will continue to be underfunded. Educators will be fleeing the state. They’re going to go to places where they feel respected and valued. I also think what that means is the students or Arizona are not going to get every opportunity that they deserve despite where they live or where they want to go to school,” said Marisol Garcia, AEA’s President.
Since the money will come from a general state fund, it could and would likely affect other state entities.
“What it means to taxpayers is we have close to $900 million, almost a billion dollars being given to we don’t know who, on what, for how much. I don’t know any other program in the country or in the state that allows some sort of program like that to continue to proliferate,” Garica said.
Horne says the money will only be used for education.
The association is asking the state legislature and Arizona Governor Hobbs to take action and put a limit on how much taxpayer money could be used for this.
Christmas arrived a day early for Keshad Johnson.
The Arizona Wildcats alum has secured a two-year contract with the Miami Heat after beginning the season on a two-way contract. Shams Charania of ESPN was first to report the contract conversion.
Johnson made two appearances for the Heat this month but otherwise has played with the organization’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
He averaged 21.2 points and 8.3 rebounds in the G League. Johnson helped lead the Skyforce to the G League Winter Showcase championship game over the weekend.
Johnson went undrafted after a standout redshirt senior season at Arizona where he averaged 11.5 points and 5.9 rebounds. Johnson played his first four collegiate seasons at San Diego State.
Johnson’s promotion to the Heat means he’ll be teaming up with Pelle Larsson. Miami is one of two NBA teams to feature a pair of Arizona players, joining the Indiana Pacers (Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell).
The last time two former Arizona teammates played together in the NBA was 2019-20, when Stanley Johnson and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson were on the Toronto Raptors.
Before that was the 2018-19 season, when Kadeem Allen and Allonzo Trier suited up for the Knicks.
Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill shared a front court with the Houston Rockets across parts of three seasons (2009-12).
MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — It was an exciting Christmas Eve morning for one Mesa girl who received an early (and furry) surprise from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
On Tuesday, Santa and Mrs. Claus teamed up with the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control to deliver adopted dogs to their new homes.
Santa and Mrs. Claus pulled up in a “sleigh” and took out a puppy wearing a cone. They then walked up to a decorated Mesa home, rang the doorbell and gave little Maya her early Christmas gift—a furry four-legged friend named Domino!
“He’s amazing, cute,” Maya said. “I just love holding him.”
Maya said Domino also loves her.
“He has an extra toe, and I think it’s a mistletoe,” she said.
What a sweet surprise from Santa and Mrs. Claus and the team at MCACC!
“It’s a great time to add another family member to join them under their Christmas tree this year,” said Kim Powell, Communications Supervisor for MCACC.
Powell said there are still 650 pets at the shelter looking for their “fur-ever” home. To learn more about adoptable pets at MCACC, click/tap here.
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Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
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.
Powerball
22-42-44-57-64, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
The Pick
01-09-11-13-26-33
Check The Pick payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
5-1-2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Fantasy 5
06-12-30-31-41
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Triple Twist
07-09-19-26-27-34
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. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
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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