Katie Hobbs on Education

	Katie Hobbs on Education

Fiscal responsibility for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts

The current program is unchecked, flawed, and rife with exploitation. Three years ago, it went far beyond its original purpose, which was to support kids with special needs and military families. Today, it has ballooned into a billion-dollar boondoggle increasingly scamming Arizonans. It's time to bring common sense to this program. It's time to bring the same fiscal responsibility to ESAs that we demand from every other program in state government. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature , Jan 13, 2025

We must continue investing in our public schools

I was born and raised in Arizona, and I chose to raise my family here. My kids attended public schools, and I'm the sister of two public school teachers. I know what having a high-quality public education can mean to millions of Arizonans. But sadly, we too often fall short. We must continue investing in our public schools to ensure Arizona truly is the best place to raise a family. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature , Jan 8, 2024

We must immediately override archaic funding cap

We must first address the potential catastrophe that will happen in just a few months if the legislature does not act to address the archaic funding cap--officially known as the Aggregate Expenditure Limit--by March 1. The solution is simple and it doesn't cost another penny. Representative David Cook has already introduced a resolution to override this outdated limit. This legislature should bring it to the floor. The Democrats in both chambers are ready to act on this immediately. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature , Jan 9, 2023

Vouchers lack accountability; will likely bankrupt the state

Rather than doing the right thing, the previous legislature passed a massive expansion of school vouchers that lacks accountability and will likely bankrupt this state. In fact, funding this expansion is poised to cost Arizona taxpayers an estimated $1.5 billion over the next 10 years if left unaddressed. That's why when my budget is delivered on Friday, you will see that it truly invests in public schools and students--ensuring we are a Prepared Arizona. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature , Jan 9, 2023

It's not an educator shortage; it's a retention crisis

The reality is, we don't have an educator shortage, what we have is a retention crisis. There are too many amazing professionals who have walked away from the career they love because of the uncompetitive salaries, onerous policies, and unfunded mandates this state has chosen to implement that rob educators of the joy of teaching. Teachers are creating the workforce and leaders of tomorrow, and it's time we started treating them with the respect they deserve. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature , Jan 9, 2023

Expand Arizona Promise Scholarship Program for state college

For tens of thousands of students, choosing to pursue a four-year degree from one of our state's major public universities is the right path. That's why we're expanding the Arizona Promise Scholarship Program, which last year made college more affordable for over 4,000 families, by including funding capacity for an additional 10,000 students who will now have an opportunity to pursue a college degree but otherwise would have been held back by the associated costs. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature , Jan 9, 2023

Expedite robust fixes to school buildings across the state

Students need an environment conducive to learning, and schools shouldn't need to jump through hoops to get crumbling classrooms fixed the right way--like fixing leaking roofs and replacing malfunctioning air conditioning systems. That's why Katie Hobbs will streamline and cut red tape at the Arizona School Facilities Board. Hobbs will also expedite robust fixes to school buildings across the state and aim to lower the costs of long-term maintenance. Source: 2022 Arizona Gubernatorial campaign website KatieHobbs.org , Dec 20, 2021

New funding for STEM education grants and scholarships

We need to prioritize training students for good-paying jobs in our rapidly growing STEM sector. While STEM jobs pay double that of non-STEM fields on average, people of color and women are underrepresented. A Hobbs Administration will work with the Department of Education to provide new funding for grants and scholarships dedicated to creating more STEM educators and providing resources to build a pipeline of diverse students with the skills needed to land jobs with Arizona employers. Source: 2022 Arizona Gubernatorial campaign website KatieHobbs.org , Dec 20, 2021

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*Other governors on Education:*			*Katie Hobbs on other issues:*
*AZ Gubernatorial:* Aaron Lieberman Doug Ducey Jorge Rivas Kari Lake Kimberly Yee Marco Lopez Matt Salmon Steve Gaynor *AZ Senatorial:* Blake Masters Jim Lamon Justin Olson Kari Lake Kelli Ward Kyrsten Sinema Mark Brnovich Mark Kelly Mark Lamb Martha McSally Mick McGuire	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4. Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4. Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate). Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025) Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]