36 Days to Get Invest in Ed on the Ballot

Now, more than ever in these potentially times for state and local coffers, it is vital to get the Invest in Ed Citizens initiative on the 2020 November 3 Ballot.

If passed by the voters in the coming elections, this initiative would:

• “Generate about $940 million in additional funding for the state’s schools by charging a three-point five percent income tax surcharge on the families making $500,000 a year or individuals making $250,000.
• Increasing Teacher and School Support Pay (50 percent of the annual proceeds.)
• Recruiting counselors, and school support staff (25 percent of the annual funds.)
• Helping fund the Arizona Teacher Academy (three percent.)
• Annual grants for district and charter schools to develop innovative Career and College Readiness Programs like increased access to Career and Technical, Advanced Placement, International Bachelorette, and Dual Enrollment courses (12 percent.)
• A statewide teacher mentoring program where first, second, and third-year instructors are guided by a veteran teacher (ten percent.)
• Scholarships for instructors so they are not saddled with student loan debt.”

With schools already facing tremendous uncertainty stemming from the Coronavirus and continued systematic financial neglect from the Great Recession (buildings in need of repair and replacement,  broadband deficiencies in urban and rural areas,a 905 to 1 student to counselor ration, funding still not restored to 2008 levels and it is 2020, and a teacher shortage brought on by still below the national average salaries,) this measure would provide a much-needed infusion to school districts and restore a sense of financial stability to all education stakeholders.

On May 27, 2020, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress and Children’s Action Alliance released a joint statement calling for a final push to get the Invest in Ed Initiative on the ballot. In their statement, Siman Qaasim (Children’s Action) and David Lujan (Arizona Center,) the heads of both organizations wrote:

“With 37 days left to collect signatures and secure Invest in Ed’s spot on the November ballot, Arizona’s kids, educators, and economy need your help.

Invest in Ed has the potential to secure Arizona’s future and restore cuts made to education during the LAST recession.

Help us get the signatures we need safely, responsibly, and legally:

1. Sign the Invest in Ed Petition

Find an opportunity to sign the Invest in Ed petition at a petition station near you, or sign up to have an Invest in Ed petition mailed to your home for you and other registered voters in your household to sign. 

2. Host a Petition Station

Our grassroots volunteers are hosting petition stations across the state. Here, supporters are able to sign the Invest in Ed petition, pick up a new petition, or bring petitions they’ve collected to be notarized and turned in. Volunteers have hosted petition stations at their homes, places of worship, and other spaces in the community. Sign up to host a petition station here.

3. Send Texts and Make Calls

We need your help reaching out to voters about Invest in Ed and getting them involved in our grassroots movement. Sign up to send text messages and make calls, both of which can be done from the comfort and safety of your home.

4. Chip in to Power Our Grassroots Movement

Invest in Ed is a grassroots movement to restore K-12 education funding and power our economic recovery. We rely on supporters like you chipping in $10 or whatever you can afford. Donate to Invest in Ed here.

This effort will take all of us, working together, from now until we submit our signatures on July 2. 

Let’s get to work!”

Both Qaasim and Lujan are right. It is important for the children and the state’s future that Invest in Education passes this November. 

It is time to bring Arizona Education into the Twenty-First Century. 

Please remember:

• Primary Election Day is on August 4, 2020, and General Election Day is on November 3. 2020.
• Register/sign up for the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) in Arizona or any state that allows early or absentee balloting and mail. Arizona residents can sign up at servicearizona.com
• Arizona residents, mail your General Election ballot by October 28, 2020, for the November 3, 2020 election.
• Check-in with the Secretary of State’s office where you live to verify your mail-in ballot was received, processed, verified, and counted.
• Know the voter ID requirements in your state.
• If you can, support Clean Election Candidates with a small contribution.
• Also, please remember to stay informed on all the candidates and vote for all the offices on the ballot.
• Also, remember to research all the ballot initiatives, sign to get them on the ballot if you support the measure, and vote on them as well.