A very important election, Proposition 1-2-3, on increasing funding for public education is this Tuesday. Your vote is critically important!
IMPORTANT ELECTION DETAILS
WHAT?: Statewide Special Election to decide if more money should be spent for public education, especially directly to the classrooms and teacher pay. For more information about ballot issue: see Secretary of State
http://www.arizona.vote/
WHEN?: (tomorrow) Tuesday, May 17, 2016; polls open 6am, close 7pm (if you are in line at 7pm you will be able to vote).
WHO CAN VOTE?: All registered voters of ANY political party and Independents can vote in person at polling location on Tues, May 17 (too late to register for May 17 election).
Below is an Opinion article in support of a "yes" vote for
Proposition 1-2-3:
"IMPORTANT: Vote 'YES' Tues May 17 - Proposition 1-2-3,
Public Education K-12 $3.5 billion More"
By Barry Wong, former Ariz. Legislator and Corporation Commissioner,
and Albert Lin, Asian Community Leader
THE PROBLEM: Adequately funding our K-12 school system is a critical part of this high quality educational goal. Until now, Arizona's policymakers have not addressed how to face teacher shortages and low per-pupil funding. Over the past decade, Arizona has continued to slip; with average teachers' salaries far below the national average and per-student funding ranking at the bottom - Arizona's kids are the ones hurt the most. Also, a lawsuit was filed against the state to force more school funding. Proposition 123 fixes this problem.
SUPPORTERS OF PROP 123: A broad coalition is supporting the Proposition including teachers, community and business leaders, education organizations; Governor Ducey, mayors across the state, Republicans and Democrats; also, leaders in many Asian communities including Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Bangladesh, Indian and Pakistan.
HOW DOES THE PROPOSITION WORK?: Our K-12 public schools currently receive funds from the state general fund and distributions from the State Land Trust (SLT). Prop 123 would significantly increase the distribution amount from the SLT to education. Some history - when Arizona became a state in 1912, the federal government donated millions of acres of federal land to the state to be held in trust for the benefit of public education and other institutions. The state created the SLT to hold funds received from the sale or lease of these trust lands, with investment earnings distributed to schools and other institutions. Prop 123, if passed, will inject $3.5 billion new funds to public schools over 10 years to address critical needs. The SLT fund will continue to be healthy with projected increases over the next 10 years, and will continue to grow for the benefit of education.
WHEN WILL SCHOOLS SEE THE MONEY?: Upon passage of Prop 123, Arizona's schools will start receiving more money starting in June for the coming school year.
Without Prop 123, there will not be significant added funding for our schools in the immediate future, and negotiations to end the funding lawsuit ceases thus continuing the litigation. Prop 123 is a great first step bringing immediate, sustained and constitutionally protected funding to our public schools while protecting the SLT for future generations of students.
ACTION: Please support Arizona's (our) students and teachers by voting "YES" on Prop 123 in the May 17 special election.