GOP lawmakers seek to undermine proposed ESA reforms as 2026 session ends
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In the final hours of the 2026 legislative session, Republican lawmakers tried to torpedo proposed reforms to Arizona's school voucher program.
Why it matters: Even if voters approve a proposed measure to rein in the state's controversial Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) program, those reforms would be completely nullified if the Legislature's ballot proposal passes as well.
Catch up quick: The Protect Education Act, a proposed citizen initiative which hasn't yet qualified for the ballot, would make several major changes to the ESA program:
- Limit eligibility for most families to those with household incomes up to $150,000;
- Crack down on improper spending;
- Bar families from saving unspent ESA money for future college use, instead returning those dollars to the state.
State of play: After GOP lawmakers and public education groups attempted to reach an 11th hour agreement over ESA reforms, Republicans responded with a ballot referral that would bar the state from sweeping voucher money from children of military families.
- Lawmakers titled the plan the Military Families College Savings and Scholarship Protection Act.
Threat level: The act also has a poison pill provision stating that any law passed by the Legislature or voters that violates the military families provision is voided in its entirety.
- That means if voters approve both measures, it would completely negate the ESA reforms in the Protect Education Act.
The Legislature adjourned for the year early Saturday morning after Republicans spent much of their final day of session on conservative ballot referrals, which only require legislative approval and aren't subject to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs' well-used veto stamp. Other last-minute referrals included ballot measures to:
🗳️ Require all voters, including those who vote by mail, to show valid government ID "before casting a ballot in each election."
- Yes, but: It's unclear how people who vote by mail would do that. Sponsor Rep. Alex Kolodin (R-Scottsdale), who is running for secretary of state, told lawmakers in March there are "many potential options" and the Legislature could revisit the issue next year if voters approve the measure.
- State law already requires that people show ID to register to vote and to vote in person, while the identities of people who early are verified through signatures on ballot envelopes.
🏫 Bar teachers unions from using public resources and bar districts from aiding labor groups by automatically deducting dues from paychecks or approving paid leave for union activities.
- A separate ballot referral would require school districts to use at least 60% of their spending for "direct instructional expenses."
- It would only apply to districts in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties, or others with at least 7,500 students.
- Republicans offered to keep both measures off the ballot as part of the failed ESA agreement with the Arizona Education Association.
📸 Prohibit photo traffic enforcement, except for contracts that are already in place.
- Cities and towns with preexisting photo radar systems must get voter approval to keep using them.