SB1729 increases the “Basic State Aid” for K-12 education in FY 2024 to support various government-sponsored programs, such as the “federal Free-and-Reduced Lunch Program” and “county jail education programs.”
The House passed SB1729 on May 10, 2023, by a vote of 43 to 16. We have assigned pluses to the nays because education ought not to be under the control of the state. A child’s education is the responsibility of—and a fundamental right of choice retained by—his or her parents. Forcing the citizens of Arizona to furnish taxpayer money to expand a compulsory, failing, and government-run K-12 school system violates their individual liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.