After signing ESA bill, Ducey vows no more school voucher expansion measures for now

Regional News

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Gov. Doug Ducey today said lifting an enrollment cap that will be imposed as a school voucher program expands is “not even a consideration.”

At least not at this time.

Ducey signed a bill on April 6 expanding Empowerment Scholarship Accounts to all children. The program, which would give students about $4,400 a year on average to attend a private school instead of a public one, is currently limited to disabled students, students residing in tribal areas, foster children, children of military families and kids in failing schools.

Under SB1431, any pupil will be eligible for a voucher, though growth will be capped at 0.5 percent of the state’s student population, or about 5,500 new students per year, which translates to approximately 30,000 spots by 2022.

Also under the bill, the ESA enrollment level in 2022 will become the hard cap going forward.

An amendment from Republican Sen. Bob Worsley of Mesa added the cap. Supporters said the amendment was necessary to get the approval of majorities in both the House and Senate.

Ducey said today he signed the bill because of Worsley’s amendment, which he called a compromise and a fiscally responsible route to expanding school choice.