Arizona's sudden $400 million shortfall

[Hschlick84]

Originally Posted by AZ Desert Guy

Yet you still are required to pay the taxes for public schools. Can you opt out on that? That would be a likely No, you cannot. Many parents that want choice over public school offerings would indeed like to see their mandated tax dollars follow their children's education. In fact I would wager most parents would want that. You are likely an anomaly.



It is also required that childless retirees such as myself still pay for our local county schools, even if I dont have children or grandchildren in the schools, and never will. I am OK with that as I want those children around me, whose parents accept the local public schools (and any inherent limitations in those schools) to get some type of education. If there is evidence of political indoctrination coming into the schools, (like is obvious in some areas), my personal view on supporting local public schools here in Yavapai county would change pretty quickly. A big chunk of my personal property taxes goes to our local community college also. After looking at their curriculum and policies, I am OK with that also, as those all look reasonable.

Aren't there some areas around the Valley such as Sun City exempt from taxes going to schools in those retirement enclaves?

[AZ Desert Guy]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

Aren't there some areas around the Valley such as Sun City exempt from taxes going to schools in those retirement enclaves?

If that is the case, I am unaware of it. Maybe zoned out of any school zones? Im not sure.

I do pay attention to the county/city I live and pay taxes in. I voted in the last Prescott Unified School District elections, and voted against the few "woke" types running, as did most others here. So it worked out for the best.

I do believe in an educated populace in K-12 is a good thing overall and think we should support it.

But.....If public schools cant educate (yes parents also play a part here for sure), or if they indoctrinate which sadly does happen more and more, then parents tax dollars should follow them to their choice of schools. Public schools will likely strive to do better in the bad areas if funding is connected. I see too much complacency with social promotions, playing games with testing criteria, social justice "values" applied to discipline, etc.....

[Greenvalleyfan]

Originally Posted by Voebe

I don't think anyone has posted about this yet - that suddenly we're hundreds of millions in the hole, mostly because of the idea of school vouchers even to parents who not only can afford to pay for private school themselves, but have been doing so all long. In other words, a giveaway to people who don't need it.


The Bill for School Voucher Bait-and-Switch Is Coming Due
https://www.thenation.com/article/so...state-budgets/

Arizona School Voucher Enrollment Exceeds Budget Estimate
Voucher critics say the program is on track to blow up the state budget
https://www.the74million.org/article...dget-estimate/

One year in, Arizona’s universal school vouchers are a cautionary tale
https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/opini...e-rest-nation/

Arizona lawmakers face big deficit due mostly to massive tax cut and school voucher expansion
https://news.azpm.org/s/97914-arizon...her-expansion/

Does this have anything to do with a Democratic Governor?

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

Aren't there some areas around the Valley such as Sun City exempt from taxes going to schools in those retirement enclaves?

Absolutely. Sun City, Sun Lakes, and most of Sun City West are exempt from paying school taxes due to not being located in any unified school districts. Sun City Grand is technically in the city limits of Surprise, so they're not tax exempt. Age restricted communities have been popular among the over 65 crowd for very good reasons, and one of those reasons is not being forced to throw their money away on public schools which they have no use for. The problem with these communities is they're restricted ... not only on age limits, but on availability. They're pretty much built out, so it can be a waiting game to get into a Sun City community unless denser, multi story development happens, or more existing home sales occur.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

Aren't there some areas around the Valley such as Sun City exempt from taxes going to schools in those retirement enclaves?

Yes.