Arizona Free Enterprise Club reported on March 19 details regarding a reporter’s family connections to Red for Ed activists and his statements concerning fraud in Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program.
The organization said the issue is significant due to ongoing debates about school choice, transparency, and the accuracy of public reporting on education policy. The club addressed concerns about how information related to the Empowerment Scholarship Account program is presented to the public.
“Arizona Free Enterprise Club reported via its blog post that reporter Craig Harris of 12 News has family connections to Red for Ed activists through his wife’s active promotion of the teachers union on social media. The club detailed how the reporter cited a 20 percent fraud figure drawn from a limited risk-based audit of the Empowerment Scholarship Account program. Arizona Department of Education clarified the audit focused on higher-risk cases and did not reflect overall performance with a separate statistical review by a Stanford PhD confirming actual fraud at 0.3 percent and unallowable spending at 2 percent. The reporting highlighted ongoing transparency measures that support Arizona families using the accounts for approved educational expenses,” according to Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s blog post.
Arizona Department of Education data indicates about 2 percent of dollars spent by Empowerment Scholarship Account holders went toward items unallowable under program rules while actual fraud or egregious purchases reached only 0.3 percent according to a precise statistical analysis conducted by a Stanford PhD. The state agency compared these figures favorably to misuse rates in other public programs such as Medicaid at 7.4 percent, food stamps at 9.3 percent, and unemployment insurance at 14.4 percent. Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program serves over 100,000 students statewide providing families options for private school tuition, homeschool materials, and specialized services through a universal approach that originated with students who have disabilities. Oversight includes risk-based auditing and reimbursement processes that recovered improper funds while maintaining high compliance across the state, according to Arizona Department of Education.
EdChoice reported Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program ranks as the fifth nationwide to exceed 100,000 student enrollments joining established initiatives in Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio that similarly expand parental options. National research shows education savings accounts generate state savings when students move from public schools to alternatives while improving competition and outcomes across K-12 systems. Policy analyses confirm choice programs deliver fiscal efficiency with lower improper payment rates than traditional government assistance models and support innovation in education delivery. These nationwide trends demonstrate growing participation and accountability in school choice efforts that empower families without compromising program integrity, according to EdChoice.
Arizona Free Enterprise Club operates as the leading pro-growth limited government advocacy organization in the state dedicated to advancing policies that promote economic freedom and a vibrant Arizona economy. The club founded in 2005 focuses on reducing income and property tax burdens opposing subsidies and special interest carve-outs while championing school choice election integrity reforms and protections for property and free speech rights. Through its efforts the organization secured historic income tax cuts expanded educational opportunities for families and defended limited government principles against establishment and special interest influences. The nonpartisan group continues to deliver policy victories that strengthen Arizona’s competitive edge and support families seeking better educational outcomes, according to Arizona Free Enterprise Club.
