by Ethan Faverino | Aug 13, 2025 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
A new report from the Common Sense Institute (CSI) revealed a crisis in Arizona’s district public school system, marked by declining enrollment, expanding infrastructure, and misallocated resources that fail to serve students effectively.
Despite a 5% drop in district school enrollment since 2019, Arizona’s public-school districts have continued to expand facilities, increase capital spending by 67% to $8.9 billion, and boost transportation costs by 11.3% to $561.2 million, even as eligible bus riders plummeted by 45%.
As Arizona’s population surged, districts expanded, constructing thousands of school buildings, hiring teachers, and extending bus routes to accommodate a growing student body.
Since peaking in 2008 with 931,000 students, district school enrollment has steadily declined, dropping to 859,519 students by 2024—a 5% decline since 2019 alone.
According to the report, this trend is accelerating, driven by demographic shifts and changing parental preferences.
Arizona’s school-aged population (ages 5–17) shrank for the first time in 2022, with a loss of 30,000 children by 2023.
Meanwhile, school choice has reshaped the educational landscape with 40% of incoming kindergarteners now opting for charter or private schools, which operate with leaner facilities and no formal transportation systems.
In the meantime, Arizona’s district schools have doubled down on expansion. Since 2019, districts added 499 new buildings, increasing gross square footage by 3% to 148.6 million square feet—78 million square feet more than needed, enough to accommodate 630,000 additional students.
The fastest-shrinking districts have increased capital spending the most, with 20% of districts (serving 73% of students) receiving 81% of capital funding.
Math proficiency in Arizona’s district schools fell 25% since 2019, and English proficiency dropped 5%, according to NAEP assessments.
Staffing has grown by 1.5% to 108,330 employees, with teacher salaries rising 24.1% to $65,113, yet class sizes remain stable at 17.7 students per teacher.
Administrative staffing has surged 6.7% since 2019, outpacing classroom staff growth, but these investments have not translated into academic gains.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Aug 10, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
State Representative Walt Blackman, Chairman of the House Committee on Government, reiterated his strong support for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Resolution Copper project, completed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
In a letter addressed to the Acting Forest Supervisor Ericka Luna, Representative Blackman called for the swift execution of the land exchange authorized by Congress in Section 3003 of the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2015 Fiscal Year.
Representative Blackman said, “The Resolution Copper project is a rare opportunity to strengthen Arizona’s economy—especially in the historic Copper Corridor and across District 7. It will bring high-wage jobs, critical infrastructure investments, and lasting economic support for local businesses.”
The Resolution Copper Project is anticipated to create thousands of construction jobs at first, with thousands more supported during decades of mine operations.
With Arizona’s average mining wage at around $100,000, these jobs promise to enhance the livelihoods of working families across the state.
The project is also expected to generate tens of millions in annual tax revenue, enabling critical investments in public roads and essential services for the Town of Superior and the surrounding areas.
The FEIS, culminating over a decade of National Environmental Policy Act analysis, incorporates extensive input from tribal governments, local communities, and other stakeholders.
Resolution Copper’s Community Working Group has played a vital role in developing mitigation strategies and promoting shared goals.
Additionally, more than 23 local municipalities and organizations have signed Good Neighbor Agreements, establishing a structure for responsible land and community management throughout the mine’s lifespan.
Blackman added, “Resolution Copper has made a genuine effort to work with the community and earn local support—truly being a good neighbor. This project is ready to move forward, and it’s time it does. I urge the Forest Service to act without further delay.”
Representative Blackman emphasized the project’s alignment with Arizona’s legacy as a leader in U.S. copper production. He urged the USFS to proceed with the land exchange, highlighting the potential to drive sustainable economic growth for the Copper Corridor and throughout Arizona.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Aug 6, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08) has introduced the Proving Residency for Overseas Voter Eligibility (PROVE) Act, which is a step toward ensuring trust and integrity in America’s elections.
Joined by original co-sponsors Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) and Congressman Andy Ogles (TN-05), Hamadeh’s legislation addresses critical vulnerabilities in the current voting system for overseas citizens.
The PROVE Act amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) to require non-military U.S. citizens living abroad to prove current residency in the state where they intend to vote.
Acceptable proof includes residency ties through the voter, their spouse, parent, or legal guardian. Those unable to establish state residency may vote in federal elections only in the District of Columbia.
Under existing UOCAVA rules, states must allow overseas citizens to vote in federal elections based on their last state of residence, even if they lack current ties to that state.
39 states, including key swing states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, permit people who have never resided in the U.S. to vote in state elections, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
Congressman Hamadeh stated, “The loophole in UOCAVA allows citizens living overseas, with no current ties to a state, to arbitrarily choose where their vote counts. This threatens electoral integrity and is an affront to everyone who believes in fair and free elections. The PROVE Act will close this loophole and go far to restore trust in our elections.”
Since taking office in January 2025, Congressman Hamadeh has prioritized election integrity and called on his colleagues to join him in supporting the PROVE Act so they can rebuild the trust of American citizens in our country’s elections.
“In Arizona, we have seen what the mismanagement of voter rolls, failed election infrastructure, and corrupt courts can do to destroy voter confidence and faith in our system overall,” said Hamadeh. Since taking office, I have introduced legislation to address some of the most egregious practices and close the most glaring loopholes in our election system.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Aug 5, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Maricopa County has secured a spot among Arizona’s top destinations for retirees, according to a new study by SmartAsset.
The study evaluated counties across the United States based on three key factors: tax-friendliness, access to medical care, and social opportunities, putting Maricopa County as an ideal location for those planning the golden years of retirement.
To assess tax-friendliness, the study calculated effective income and sales tax rates for a retiree earning $35,000 annually from retirement savings, Social Security, and part-time work, determining disposable income after taxes.
For medical care, the study measured the number of doctors’ offices per 1,000 residents, and the same for social opportunities, which measured the number by recreation and retirement centers per 1,000, along with the percentage of seniors in each county’s population.
Maricopa County ranked sixth in Arizona with a Best Place to Retire Index score of 43.1.
The county excels in medical care access, with 3.28 medical centers per 1,000 residents, one of the highest rates in the state.
With a tax burden of 15.82% and an offering of 0.12 recreation centers and 0.4 retirement centers per 1,000 people, Maricopa County provides a balanced environment for retirees seeking affordability, healthcare, and an active lifestyle.
While its senior population is lower at 15.99% compared to the top-ranked La Paz County (42.23%), Maricopa County’s urban amenities and vibrant community make it a standout choice.
Retirement dreams of adventure and relaxation require careful financial planning, often overlooked within daily expenses.
Experts recommend saving 10%-15% of annual income and targeting 25 times the yearly expenses to replace 70%-80% of pre-retirement income. For example, if somebody spends $50,000 annually in retirement, they should aim to save around $1.25 million through 401k, retirement, and other investments.
Maricopa County’s high density of medical facilities ensures retirees’ healthcare needs are met, addressing the rising healthcare costs that often challenge retirement budgets. Its moderate 15.82% tax burden supports financial planning by allowing retirees to stretch their savings further.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Aug 4, 2025 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne criticized recent remarks made by Governor Katie Hobbs’ spokesman, Christian Slater, who labeled the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) staff as “wasteful bureaucracy.”
Horne called the comments a reckless insult to dedicated state employees who are understaffed, under pressure, and focused on serving the parents seeking the best education for their children.
“The governor’s spokesman has demeaned state employees by calling ESA professionals a ‘wasteful bureaucracy.’ Defining people as waste is a terrible insult,” said Superintendent Horne. “No matter what her (Governor Hobbs) personal opposition, the ESA program exists to give parents’ choice when local schools don’t meet their children’s needs, and people are needed to serve those parents. That is not wasteful; it is essential.”
ESA Director John Ward, in a recent legislative testimony, highlighted the program’s significant growth and challenges.
In the 2025 fiscal year, the ESA program distributed $869 million, surpassing the $769 million allocated for all federal education programs in Arizona.
Despite managing a larger budget, the ESA program has only 40 employees, compared to the 300 staff members handling federal programs at the Arizona Department of Education.
Since its start in 2011, the ESA program has grown from $100 million and 11,000 accounts to now, nearly $1 billion and over 90,000 accounts today, with no additional staff to support the increased workload.
“We are always in survival mode,” Ward told lawmakers. “Our main responsibility is to get students who want to be in the program into the program, to review their purchases, and provide customer service. That is our core mission, and that is what we are focused on.”
Horne also noted that in 2025, the Department of Education requested 12 additional staff members to manage the growing program’s demands. The House supported this request in its budget, but Governor Hobbs refused to consider it.
“To deny these resources while allowing her spokesman to insult state employees serving parents is beyond the pale,” Horne said.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
