Senator holding swing vote in voucher expansion leaning toward ‘no’

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From AZ Capitol Times

The state senator with the deciding vote on a bill that would give all Arizona students access to a program that allows public money to pay for private schooling wants “rock solid caps” on its enrollment.

That means an indefinite delay on expanding Empowerment Scholarship Accounts to all students, said Sen. Bob Worsley, whose vote is needed to approve SB1431 in the Senate.

The measure is universally opposed by the chamber’s 13 Democrats.

One Republican, Sen. Kate Brophy McGee of Phoenix, has already voted against the bill once in a committee hearing, and vows she’ll do it again when the full Senate considers it.

The Senate’s other moderate Republicans, Sens. Karen Fann of Prescott and Frank Pratt of Casa Grande, both support the bill.

That leaves Worsley in the position of deciding the bill’s fate in the Senate. Supporters of SB1431 can’t afford to have two Republican lawmakers vote against it – combined with Democrat opposition, the bill would fail with a 15-15 tie.

Worsley, R-Mesa, said he’s leaning toward voting no, with a caveat.

Read more at AZ Capitol Times

Corrie O'Connor