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Aug 3, 2010

Failing Our Schools, Part 1

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 3, 2010

PHOENIX – Arizona students begin heading back to school this week. When they arrive, many will find fewer teachers, larger class sizes, and the elimination of programs such as music, art and physical education.

“Jan Brewer and legislative Republicans are working furiously to distract voters with divisive, headline-grabbing issues,” said Luis Heredia, Arizona Democratic Party executive director. “They’re deflecting attention from the most important issue of all: their record.”

The Republicans’ record on education gets top billing on their resume of failure. Thanks to them, Arizona is 49th lowest in education funding. Since Brewer took office, Republicans have voted to cut $1.1 billion from K-12 education in Arizona. [U.S. Census; Joint Legislative Budget Committee]

When Brewer and the Republicans in power chose to gut Arizona’s schools, they blamed it on the budget crisis. Yet throughout the crisis, they also chose to protect tax loopholes for big corporations and the rich. Because of GOP priorities, middle-class parents pay taxes on school supplies while the rich don’t pay a penny of taxes on luxury purchases like country-club memberships or spa treatments.

“Voters need to know that the Republicans in power don’t share their values on education,” Heredia said. “Arizona will continue down the wrong track until we elect real leaders with the right priorities.”

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