Katie Hobbs’ Statement on Final Prop 208 Ruling

PHOENIX—Today, Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs released the following statement after Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Hannah struck down Prop 208:

“Our teachers and parents have been shut out of the process, and the will of the voters who made their voices loud and clear by voting for Prop 208 have been overruled. Their concerns are of virtually no importance to Governor Ducey, the Republican controlled legislature, and their special interest supporters. Simply put, Arizona has not had leadership that is focused on meaningful solutions to the unavoidable fact that our schools are deeply underfunded and our children are being shortchanged.”

Secretary Hobbs added: “Of course, the story of Prop 208 will continue to repeat itself so long as the aggregate expenditure limit remains in place. The needs of Arizona’s students and the challenges of bringing them a quality education have grown exponentially since the cap was imposed in the 1970s. As governor, I will do everything in my power to repeal this outdated expenditure limit, be it via legislation or at the ballot box.”

On Friday, Maricopa County Superior Judge John Hannah ruled that Proposition 208 – that was approved by Arizona voters in 2020 and intended to fund public education – was unconstitutional. This money included funding for teacher salaries, school support personnel, as well as career and technical education programs. Without this funding, schools face losing high-quality staff across Arizona.

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