The AEC has launched its online media campaign to highlight the misplaced priorities of state leaders that jeopardize our schools and the foundation of Arizona’s economic strength.
Our first spot is called Third World. Take a look here:
Unfortunately, Governor Brewer and the Legislature have made some terrible decisions that will harm Arizona’s economy in the short and long-term. They've made deep, deep cuts to our schools while simultaneously pushing for tax giveaways for Wall Street insurance firms. Arizona is already ranked dead last in per pupil education investment, but these new cuts are making our schools Third World.
The Arizona Economic Council believes strong K-12 and university systems are vital to Arizona’s ability to compete for high-tech, high-quality 21st century jobs. The direction state leaders have careved out over the last five months undermine the progress we have made.
Intel Chairman Craig Barrett, whose company employs nearly 10,000 Arizonans, said the state is losing its competitive edge. “I think Arizona's still kind of caught between the 19th and 21st centuries,” he recently told The Arizona Republic.
Background for Third World:
Governor Brewer and the State Legislature cut $133 million from K-12 schools in a FY 2009 budget that was signed into law on Jan. 31. As a result of the cuts, thousands of teachers have lost their jobs, and 7,400 Arizona teachers have been told they may not have jobs next year. [Source: Capitol Media Services, Jan. 31, 2009; KPHO, April 27, 2009]
Governor Brewer said she would sign legislation to permanently repeal the education equalization tax, which could raise approximately $250 million for Arizona schools for FY 2010. One of the largest beneficiaries of repealing the measure would be a N.Y.-based insurance company. According to The Arizona Republic, “Calculations, based on Maricopa County property assessment records, show the biggest savings in 2006 went to the Phoenician resort and to New York-based Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. in 2007 and 2008. If the tax is repealed, MetLife also would receive the biggest savings, nearly $150,000, for the upcoming tax year.” [Source: The Arizona Republic, April 4, 2009]
RSS Feed POSTED: May 18, 2009