Oppose SCR 1041: Flawed Prop 123 Renewal Threatens School Funding

I urge you to oppose SCR 1041 when it comes before the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. This measure, along with its companion SCR 1051, represents a fundamentally flawed approach to renewing Prop 123 that will likely fail at the ballot box while our public schools desperately need the funding. The original Prop 123, which expired, directed increased distributions from state land trust permanent funds to address the many and varied needs of public schools. It barely passed in 2016 despite heavy support from the governor, education groups, and the business community. SCR 1041 takes a drastically different approach by restricting funds exclusively to base salary increases for "eligible teachers" and tying compensation to performance classifications. This narrow focus ignores the reality that individual schools are best positioned to determine their own needs, whether that's classroom supplies, support staff, facility improvements, or other critical investments. The eligibility restrictions in Section 15-248.01 are particularly problematic. Teachers designated in the two lowest performance classifications after evaluation are explicitly excluded from receiving any salary increases, creating a punitive system that undermines collaboration and morale. Schools need flexibility to address their unique challenges, not a one-size-fits-all mandate from the legislature. Most concerning is that this version lacks the broad coalition support that was essential to the original measure's narrow success. Without backing from education groups and the business community, SCR 1041 is unlikely to pass, meaning Arizona's public schools and the general fund will continue to suffer. We cannot afford to waste this opportunity on a measure designed to fail. If the legislature is serious about renewing Prop 123, it should craft a measure that mirrors the original version, provides flexible funding for diverse school needs, and builds the coalition necessary for voter approval. SCR 1041 does none of these things. I ask you to vote no on Wednesday.