Ciscomani’s Betrayal of Arizona’s Schools

By Nancy Gutierrez, state Representative from LD18 (Foothills).

Arizona schools need our help.

As a public school teacher and a state legislator, I have a responsibility to Arizona’s next generation. So does Congressman Ciscomani.

But the Congressman’s record shows that helping our state’s public schools is not a priority. In his first term in Washington, Ciscomani voted for an education funding bill that proposes an 80% cut to Title I funding. This move could lead to the elimination of over 4,000 staff and teaching positions in Arizona, impacting a staggering 250,000 students across the state.

Such a drastic reduction not only threatens the livelihoods of thousands of Arizonans but also jeopardizes the future of our workforce and economy by denying students the education they rightfully deserve.

Congressman Ciscomani went a step further. Despite initially voting for the bill in a subcommittee, he later joined House Republicans in raising concerns about the bill as bad policy for his constituents. This inconsistency raises questions about his commitment to the well-being of Arizona’s education system and the students who depend on it.

Congressman Ciscomani’s troubling education record precedes his time in the U.S. House. As a key member of former Governor Ducey’s leadership team, he supported Ducey’s efforts to expand the school voucher program, contributing to a substantial budget deficit in Arizona. As a result, teachers are now under immense pressure to deliver a quality education with significantly fewer resources.

Disastrous ESA vouchers

The Congressman’s association with the disastrous universal ESA voucher program and his voting record in Congress for further cuts fall in line with other votes he’s taken in Congress. Governor Ducey’s pride in expanding the budget-busting vouchers is not a sentiment shared by those on the frontlines of education, where accountability, transparency, and adequate resources are essential for success.

Arizona leaders need to restore accountability, transparency, and safety to a voucher system that is currently plagued by abuse. Universally abused vouchers are putting a multimillion-dollar strain on our state’s deficit, hindering our ability to provide the necessary support and resources to our public schools.

As a community of educators, parents, and concerned citizens, we must hold our elected officials accountable for their decisions that impact our children’s future and our state’s prosperity.

Congressman Ciscomani needs to change his tune on public education and start prioritizing the well-being of Arizona’s public education system — starting with voting against any government funding bills that include additional cuts to education funding that our schools need.

Arizona needs solutions that prioritize the needs of our students and ensure that Arizona’s public schools receive the support they are desperate for. Our children deserve better, and it is our responsibility to advocate for a public education system that empowers them to thrive.