Lawmakers avoided K-12 cuts while ensuring state agencies the expansion of a community college scholarship. Here’s a breakdown of the Arizona budget.
PHOENIX — Arizona, we have a budget.
The Arizona State House and Senate have approved a new state budget after an all-day work session on Saturday. The budget will now head to Gov. Katie Hobbs’ desk and is expected to be signed.
The final version of the budget, which was passed at 9:43 p.m. on Saturday, features a series of compromises from both sides of the aisle.
Most agencies will see cuts of around 3% as the state looks to make up a $1.8 billion deficit. The shortfall is largely the result of lower sales tax collections, a Ducey-era tax cut now fully in effect amounting to less revenues, and the expansion of the private school voucher program.
Democrats noted victories by protecting a K-12 poverty funding program and expanding a community college scholarship – both expenditures were targeted by Republicans for cuts. The budget includes a 2% inflation increase for the K-12 public schools.
State lawmakers also set themselves up for a potential lawsuit.
The budget sweeps more than $120 …
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