Legislative Republicans Are Now 0 for 2: “Trojan Horse” HCR2048 is Stricken from the Ballot

What is the name of that song?

Seems like Yesterday.

That is probably the mood of jubilant Arizona Democrats, Public School Advocates, and proponents of sane and legal fiscal policy as another Arizona judge, for the second time in two days, found a Legislative Republican led ballot initiative constitutionally lacking, striking down HCR2048, a measure designed, as critics called a “Trojan Horse,” to neuter Proposition 212, the Protect Public Education Act that would mandate needed reforms in the State Welfare/Scam Program for the Wealthy/Fraudster Empowerment Scholarhip Private School/Indoctrination Center Account Program under the guise of protecting military familes.

Yesterday, another judge ruled that the Republican composed HCR 2040, a move to destroy public unions, especially the Arizona Education Association, unconstitutional and had that struck from the November ballots.

Arizona Attorney Kris Mayes commented on the ruling that:

“Republicans in the Legislature tried to trick voters by referring HCR2048 to the ballot. Disguised as protections for military families, this initiative would have undercut and nullified a voter-led initiative. The court rightfully blocked it from the ballot this morning.”

Reacting to the ruling, Arizona Senate Democrats posted:

🚨 BREAKING: A judge struck HCR 2048 from the ballot.

This Republican-led partisan scheme used military families to block voters from weighing in on ESA voucher reform. Republicans can appeal, but today is a victory for transparency and accountability. #Senate #Democrats… https://t.co/ByHeRZTNfy

— Arizona Senate Democrats (@AZSenateDems) July 29, 2026

Arizona House Democrats posted:

A trial court strikes down the Republican Trojan Horse attempt to kill the Protect Education Act citizen initiative to rein in ESA waste, fraud and abuse. HCR2048 hid its poison pill behind “protection” for military families. https://t.co/G0oz8aPARa

— Arizona House Democrats (@AZHouseDems) July 29, 2026

Democratic House Leaders Oscar De Los Santos and Nancy Guiterrez issued individual posts with De Los Santos writing:

“Trial court kicks off HCR 2048 from the ballot. The Republican-led HCR 2048 used military families as a political pawn in order to kill the Protect Education Act (ESA voucher reform). Republicans could appeal.”

Guiterrez wrote:

“Another unconstitutional ballot measure from your AZ Republican Legislators. Using military families as a cover to strip votes from Arizonans is pretty damn low.”