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Legislative Support for Additional School Funding Coming from Both Aides
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“Challenges will get to this (Education) Committee,” he said. Lieberman said he believes that every child can succeed,
“I am cautiously optimistic that we can move forward with but that money doesn’t solve everything. “There is no
support from both sides. That’s really how it should be, not progress that can be made until you have incredibly highest
as Democrats or Republicans, but as Arizonans supporting expectations that every student can learn, the belief that
quality education for every kid in Arizona.” every child can succeed. It takes leadership. It’s rare that a
school out-performs a principal. It almost never happens.
His comment triggered a rousing round of cheers and Invest in school leaders.”
applause.
Udall said it’s wonderful to have a great economy, and
she expects to see bills introduced aimed at improving the
“I am cautiously optimistic that workforce.
we can move forward with support
Most of the additional funding that schools get in 2020 is
from both sides. That’s really how likely to be one-time appropriations, she said, adding: “We
it should be, not as Democrats or probably will not see a long-term solution unless we find a

Republicans, but as Arizonans stream of money.”
supporting quality education for
every kid in Arizona.”

Both lawmakers agreed on the need for
additional funding for special education.

“A special education solution gets back
to that grand bargain,” Lieberman said.
“It’s very expensive.”

On the possibility of reducing class sizes,
Udall said there aren’t enough teachers
available to cover such a reduction.
Lieberman noted that the economy is
booming, and said: “Teachers are not
teaching. They’re taking other jobs.”

On another issue, Udall and Lieberman
agreed that high-performing schools and
not-so-successful schools should both
receive additional funding.

Lieberman called it “a chicken and egg
thing.” He questioned how the state can
help all kids succeed if only the best-
performing schools receive additional
money. “Results-based funding doesn’t
do that,” Lieberman said.

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