Arizona AFT and AFT Disappointed in Final Arizona Budget Package

PHOENIX—The Arizona American Federation of Teachers and its parent union, the American Federation of Teachers, said they were disappointed in Gov. Doug Ducey’s final budget package, which the Legislature is expected to consider today.

Arizona AFT President Ralph Quintana:

“This budget package is terribly disappointing because it doesn’t address the very real crisis unfolding every single day in Arizona’s public schools. It doesn’t reflect what tens of thousands of teachers, parents, students and others have told lawmakers is needed for a quality public education system for years to come. Teachers are upset that Republicans wouldn’t work with Democrats to come up with a viable solution to raise needed revenue, but they will go back to school on Thursday, promising to continue their quest for crucial funding.

“This fight moves to the ballot box to elect lawmakers who understand that new revenue is required so that students have textbooks; teachers have curriculum; arts and special education programs are restored; children have fully funded all-day kindergarten; teachers want to stay and teach in Arizona; and all students and school employees have safe and modern schools. We walked in April, and we will remember in November.”

AFT President Randi Weingarten:

“Teachers in Arizona, Oklahoma and West Virginia have educated the nation about the intolerable teaching and learning conditions that can be blamed directly on the reckless practice of cutting taxes for the wealthy and corporations and denying public schools adequate funding. Arizona students are paying the price for lawmakers’ abandonment of the mainstream value of a quality public education. When you shortchange children’s education, you are shortchanging their future opportunities.

“Teachers have taken very courageous stands in states across America. Their passion for their profession and what they want for their students has made an indelible impression on the public, which will be reflected in November.”