Arizona education

Source topic or question: Named Policy Platforms

Candidate campaign source

“ It is time we had a Governor who will promote healthy living and empower local ranchers and farmers to provide Arizona families with affordable, nutritious options,” said Sine Kerr, Republican nominee for Lt. Governor. “Many of the reasonable ideas we’ve laid out in our MAHA Platform were bills that were vetoed by Katie Hobbs, from protecting the medical choices of college students to limiting SNAP purchases to healthy, nutritious foods. We’ll be ready to implement our MAHA Platform on Day One and start making Arizona the healthiest state in the country. ”

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 19, 2026

Source topic or question: Protect School and Health Choice

Candidate campaign source

Protect School and Health Choice

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 19, 2026

Source topic or question: KATIE IS COMMITTED TO SOLVING ARIZONA’S BIGGEST CHALLENGES

Candidate campaign source

She’s invested in public education from kindergarten through higher education, and she’s expanding apprenticeships and career training so more Arizonans can be first in line for good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 23, 2026

Source topic or question: Education Quality / ESA Protection

Candidate campaign source

Arizona public schools are failing today and the ESA program is being attacked as the culprit. I want to extend a greater audit in all school choice options, including public, charter, and ESA. Arizona is a leader in the country regarding school choice being now universal K-12. The ESA and voucher program are now under major political scrutiny as they are being attacked as the causation to public schools lacking in funding. While ESA is a program that has grown beyond what was originally planned to be, the program does not cost tax payers more money, but it arranges the allocation of funds differently. What is interesting is most do not realize that if ESA reduces or goes away tax payer will actually pay more, by millions annually. The reason is because the ESA program is actually less money then charter or public schools. Allowing families to make a choice about their child’s school program is important to so many families. I think the main reason people are upset is because the false narrative in the media regarding the funding and public schools failing. However, the literature and research supports that there is much more fraud and misuse of funding in the public and charter schools then there is in the ESA program. In fact, the ESA program as much stricter guidelines of reporting where the public and charter schools do not. For instance, before the voucher and ESA programs expanded in 2022, in 2019 and current enrollment in public schools was decreasing and increasing was chart public schools. Despite this fact, school districts continued to add more and more schools and buildings. Now, there are buildings and schools closing, yet, as a business model the business (i.e., school) grew faster than the demand. In business, you do not expand when prior years show expansion could bankrupt your business. This is essentially what many districts did. Now closures are happening, but it was already hypothesized before this. So billions of tax payer funding was placed into new buildings that are now vacant and sitting property of over 12 billion estimate. It costs Arizona taxpayers the most to send their kids to public schools versus charter or ESA or another optional program. Now we have billions of dollars of empty building and real estate in Arizona due to schools closing. The other reason why schools are closing is because cost of living and inflation in Arizona. Families are moving away from the expensive districts to different states or different areas of Arizona thus the students do not exist to go to those schools and since 2007 the birth rates in Arizona have decreased making school age children less available to attend. Then we have the expanded school choice program in 2022 which further removed children from public school districts to choose a private or home school. Literature does show that as fluctuation of the ESA and public school choice changes decrease and children stick to one over the other that tax payer dollars will decrease. One area that needs to happen in all programs is that when a student moves from one program to another the money needs to go with the child to that new school. What is happening now is the money does not go into the school and then this costs the school more money per the student not originally accounted for. This would reduce spending of students too. Further, we need accountability in spending in all tax payer dollars for school spending. This means that even when a student goes to a private school that school who accepts the funds needs to be transparent about the spending, too, or they do not get to utilize tax payer dollars.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 15, 2026

Source topic or question: Inflation / Cost of Living

Candidate campaign source

Arizona’s cost of living and inflation index is 2x the national average goal (2% inflation to meet standards of living and wage increase) and above the national average of 3.8% that is also higher than the goal of inflation for the nation. As a result, Arizona is not affordable for many to live, eat, or put gas in their car without multifamily living, multiple jobs, and/or both. Arizona grew so fast that inflation grew with it as supply did not meet demand. This was coupled by an ongoing water crisis and drought Arizona is in and a moratorium of construction. Affordability/cost of living is not at the bottom of this list because it is least important but instead is at the bottom because I believe that when we address the areas above (water, school funding, fraud and agency reform) we will automatically begin to address the affordability and cost of living crisis happening in Arizona, too. We need to be able to reduce utility cost for residents, slow and reduce inflation in Arizona while increasing minimum wage, create opportunities for people in Arizona to live within their means without having to work multiple jobs to afford groceries and gas. I will address gas price inflation that can occur easily in the state of Arizona with gas station owners with the right to increase or decrease their cost at will. I will implement rebate programs, more that what already exists, to farmers market vendors and buyers, teachers, public servants, and first responders to address the overwhelming need to meet demand and supply to people serving our state and community. I will create rebate programs for removing grass and implementing desert landscape and low water usage in homes (again, enhancing what is present already in these setups). I will also create city structures that support shorter commutes and utilize current vacant buildings for low cost community living. Shelters and those who are homeless will have more resources, support, and attention to options to help them have safe housing, food options, and childcare support. I will also review, further, New Mexico’s universal childcare program that is no cost to the public to implement in Arizona in a short term plan and step up agenda to full cost covered 0-K grades. Taxing data centers and implementing this tax money to cost of living expenditures and changes will be reviewed as well as use of data center tax money being used for public school systems.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 15, 2026

Source topic or question: Education Quality / ESA Protection

Candidate campaign source

I will review executive board and higher up educator salaries to review national average to state average and reduce or increase and do the same for teachers and public school staff. ESA oversight and funding review to examine how funding for ESA impacts public schools and how ESA programs are reviewed for student scores and learning to meet standards of the state. I will address funding happening to the “Results Based Funding” (RBF) that rewards schools for letter grade performance. This reward system needs to take into account, more, the schools in economically disadvantaged districts and reward in ways that ensures the low performing schools are better supported. Right now the districts heavily receiving the funds include school districts in esteemed economic standing. I will address the auditor general reports that most recently (2025) show that there is a misuse of nonoperational spending of over 9 million dollars and why. Greater accountability needs to happen to spending in public school spending and dollar allowance. I will require the public school systems to publicly share where tax payer dollars is going including tax payer dollars going to ESA programs and spending, keep identifying parent/child information private. A reform of Arizona schools needs to happen to protect ESA and also protect and support public schools. Both systems, I believe, are capable of running simultaneously without hurting either one. The increase in per pupil spending in Arizona is below the national average, as it is, and I will review this. Arizona is low because Arizona places lower taxes in sectors funding school systems. I will review the all school choice programs for fraud and misuse of funds and make immediate changes. Again, I believe all programs can work together for accountability to tax payers and the state and create a very healthy and promising future for our children. Finally, there is some evidence to suggest that over the years the formula being used by the school education system in Arizona continues to inflate actual cost of school, increasing every year the amount coming in despite enrollment decrease. There is evidence to support that there is a surplus of money that within the school education system that is not being utilized by the districts. I will figure out where this money is and why it is being held back from going to pay teachers salaries higher and student education.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 15, 2026

Source topic or question: Connect education and workplace skills

Candidate campaign source

Align education and work skills so each complement each other and help the worker towards career development.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 15, 2026

Source topic or question: Families, Mothers, Fathers, Children

Candidate campaign source

I am a mom. I also have a stepson whose mother has asked me not to share stories about him during my campaign, and I respect that. What I can say is that I love him deeply, and he helped make me a mom too. Having what I affectionately call my “belly baby”—my biological son—is an experience I cannot fully put into words. It showed me a love and purpose I never knew I was missing. To every woman and family hoping to have children, struggling with infertility, or preparing to welcome a child into the world, my prayers are with you. I understand that the desire to become a parent is one of the strongest feelings a person can have. As Governor of Arizona, I will protect access to IVF, support adoption, and preserve Arizona’s current abortion laws. I believe education, access to resources, and support for families are critical. Too many young families are forced to delay or give up on their dreams of having children because of financial pressures. Arizona should be a state where families can grow, children can thrive, and parents can pursue their dreams without being overwhelmed by economic hardship. I will work to provide the resources, opportunities, and support that help families succeed and build a brighter future for the next generation

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 15, 2026

Source topic or question: Housing and cost of living

Candidate campaign source

Teri Ann Hourihan for AZ Governor. Arizona’s cost of living and inflation rates remain above national targets, making it increasingly difficult for families to afford housing, groceries, transportation, and other necessities. As Governor, I will address affordability by tackling its root causes. Arizona’s rapid growth, combined with water shortages, drought conditions, and housing supply constraints, has driven costs higher. By strengthening water security, improving school funding, reforming government agencies, and reducing fraud and waste, we can create long-term affordability for residents. My administration will work to lower utility costs, reduce inflationary pressures, increase wages, and expand opportunities for Arizonans to live within their means without needing multiple jobs. I will pursue stronger oversight of fuel pricing, expand rebate programs for teachers, first responders, public servants, farmers market vendors and shoppers, and incentivize water-efficient landscaping. I will promote affordable housing through adaptive reuse of vacant buildings, strengthen homelessness services, explore universal childcare options, and evaluate data center tax revenues to support affordability initiatives and public education

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 15, 2026

Source topic or question: Education Quality / ESA Protection

Candidate campaign source

Review salaries of teachers and public administrative staff in schools to ensure fair salary profiles are being implemented with state reviews.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 15, 2026

Source topic or question: State Corruption / Mismanagement

Candidate campaign source

Inflation / Cost of Living Arizona’s cost of living and inflation index is 2x the national average goal (2% inflation to meet standards of living and wage increase) and above the national average of 3.8% that is also higher than the goal of inflation for the nation. As a result, Arizona is not affordable for many to live, eat, or put gas in their car without multifamily living, multiple jobs, and/or both. Arizona grew so fast that inflation grew with it as supply did not meet demand. This was coupled by an ongoing water crisis and drought Arizona is in and a moratorium of construction. Affordability/cost of living is not at the bottom of this list because it is least important but instead is at the bottom because I believe that when we address the areas above (water, school funding, fraud and agency reform) we will automatically begin to address the affordability and cost of living crisis happening in Arizona, too. We need to be able to reduce utility cost for residents, slow and reduce inflation in Arizona while increasing minimum wage, create opportunities for people in Arizona to live within their means without having to work multiple jobs to afford groceries and gas. I will address gas price inflation that can occur easily in the state of Arizona with gas station owners with the right to increase or decrease their cost at will. I will implement rebate programs, more that what already exists, to farmers market vendors and buyers, teachers, public servants, and first responders to address the overwhelming need to meet demand and supply to people serving our state and community. I will create rebate programs for removing grass and implementing desert landscape and low water usage in homes (again, enhancing what is present already in these setups). I will also create city structures that support shorter commutes and utilize current vacant buildings for low cost community living. Shelters and those who are homeless will have more resources, support, and attention to options to help them have safe housing, food options, and childcare support. I will also review, further, New Mexico’s universal childcare program that is no cost to the public to implement in Arizona in a short term plan and step up agenda to full cost covered 0-K grades. Taxing data centers and implementing this tax money to cost of living expenditures and changes will be reviewed as well as use of data center tax money being used for public school systems.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 15, 2026

Source topic or question: Education Quality / ESA Protection

Candidate campaign source

Funding to provide counseling services within public school settings.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 15, 2026