Early voting begins April 20 and Election Day is May 17. This guide gives quick info about Prop. 123 and what supporters and opponents are saying about key issues.
This guide is periodically updated to reflect new information.Β
What it does
The proposition, if approved by voters, would put $3.5 billion into Arizona's schools over the next 10 years and resolve a years-long lawsuit. It also asks voters to fund inflation in perpetuity. It would put an additional $50 million annually in the first five years and $75 million annually for five years after that in money owed to schools.Β
Ultimately, the plan would boost per-pupil funding by $173 to about $3,600.Β
But a study by the Children's Action Alliance found that the plan falls far short of the funding Arizona's schools received before the recession.
Who supports it
Supporters have a website at yesprop123.com. You can browse arguments in favor of Prop. 123 in this PDF.
- Gov. Doug Ducey
- State Speaker of the House David Gowan
- Former Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett
- State Rep. Bruce Wheeler
- Arizona Chamber of Commerce
- Former Arizona Superintendents of Public Instruction Lisa Graham Keegan and Jaime Molera
- Southern Arizona Leadership Council
- Arizona Charter Schools Association
- Expect More Arizona
- Arizona Education Association
- Amphitheater Public Schools governing board member Kent Barrabee
- Arizona chapter of Americans for Prosperity
- Tucson Metro Chamber of CommerceΒ
Who's against it
Opponents have a website at noprop123.com.Β You can browse arguments against Prop. 123 in this PDF.
- State Treasurer Jeff DeWit and former State Treasurers Dean Martin and Carol Springer
- Allen Malanowski, economist
- Brian Clymer, attorney
- Ann Reaban, president of the Pima County School Retirees' Association
- Heather Morzinski, a founder of the Vail Parent Network
- Morgan Abraham,Β president of the Pima County Working Young Democrats and chairman of the No on Prop. 123 committee
Cost of the election
The Proposition 123 special election is expected to cost Pima County more than $2.1 million that was not budgeted, according to a memo written by Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.Β
The cost of holding the election is estimated at $1.2 million and it would cost the county recorder's office an additional $930,000 on costs associated with voter registration.Β
Upcoming events
- The African American Democratic Caucus of Tucson is hosting its monthly meeting at the Grace Temple Baptist Church, 8342 N. Mammoth Drive from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Dustin Williams and Chris Thomas will speak about Prop. 123.
If you know of any upcoming events relating to Prop. 123, please contact reporter Yoohyun Jung at yjung@tucson.com with details.
