Doug Ducey Can Not Give COVID Relief Dollars to Schools that do not Adopt Mask Mandates

Remember when Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and his allies on the extreme right thought it would be a good idea to give federal COVID relief funds, in the form of grants, to schools who chose not to adopt Coronavirus mask or vaccine mandates?

The federal government did.

Today, (October 5, 2021,) the United States Treasury Department informed Mr. Ducey’s office that the use of these monies toward educational institutions that do not follow science, CDC health guidelines, and reality, was inappropriate.

Using the words “not a permissible use,” and an attempt to “undermine evidence-based efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19,” the Treasury Department has given the Governor’s office 30 days to come to a solution to the problem it created.

Of course, Mr. Ducey’s office is crying foul and asking what is wrong with what they are doing.

The Governor’s spokesperson, C.J. Karamargin, issued a rebuttal to the Treasury letter, relaying:

“Following the challenges during the 2020 school year, everyone’s primary focus should be equipping families with the resources to get their kids caught up. That’s exactly what this program does — giving families in need the opportunity to access educational resources like tutoring, child care, transportation, and more.”

Apparently, according to Governor Ducey and his staff, ensuring all schools are safe from COVID does not qualify as a resource to get children caught up.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman offered a different perspective, grounded in reality and wanting the welfare of all children and educators, commenting:

“As has been much of Arizona’s approach to COVID-19 under Governor Ducey’s leadership, misusing federal funds to help families avoid COVID mitigation in schools was shortsighted and harmful.”

It is time for Doug Ducey to use that $163 million he wanted to give to schools that would not promote public safety and create grants for schools that will.