Arizona Gov. Ducey says ‘we have some time’ as school spending limit deadline nears

PHOENIX — With the clock ticking toward a deadline, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said it’s up to the Legislature to deal with a spending limit that could cost schools over $1.1 billion in funding.

“We’re trying to resolve some of these funding issues around things that can expire or hit certain limits,” Ducey told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Thursday. “This is a legislative issue and we have some time.”

The limit, a 1980 measure passed by state voters that put a cap on how much K-12 schools can spend during an academic year, has to be resolved by March 1.

If not, districts would be forced to slash their budgets by about 16%.

Democratic State Rep. Jennifer Pawlik has introduced a bill that would permanently repeal the limit and prevent the issue coming up every so often.

The bill would require a two-thirds majority in the Legislature to pass.

“I want to see what the details are,” Ducey said of the bill.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman has called on Ducey and lawmakers to take swift action to avoid the cuts.

She said the cuts would be debilitating, especially for rural schools.

It’s not the first time the spending limit issue has arisen, but it’s usually been a quick fix.

Hoffman has previously said “political maneuvering” in an election year could provide unnecessary interference.

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