Grand Canyon Times

A new report released by the Goldwater Institute, titled "The Anti-ESA Double Standard: How Arizona Taxpayers Spend Billions More on High Income Households Through Public Schooling" challenges prevalent narratives surrounding the state's universal Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program— particularly that ESAs disproportionately benefit "wealthy" families at the expense of public schools.

Extensive analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey data in the report reveals that Arizona taxpayers allocate billions annually to subsidize public schooling for children from households earning over $100,000, which is 10 to 20 times more resources annually than through the ESA program.

The report found that among those associated with public school, nearly one-third come from households earning more than $100,000, including 17% coming from households earning above $150,000.

“We're actually spending a lot more on public education for wealthy families than we are for ESEA education for so-called wealthy families,” Goldwater Institute Senior Communications Manager Joe Setyon told Grand Canyon Times. “We're spending a lot more to subsidize the public education of so-called higher earning families than we're spending to subsidize the education of ESA families who are similarly situated.” 

Several key findings in the report contradict anti-school choice rhetoric, shedding new light on the complex dynamics of educational funding in the state.

Setyon said the new report comes amid Gov. Katie Hobbs' intention to defund scholarship opportunities for nearly 50,000 ESA students. 

“The governor and her allies are trying to cancel school choice. They are limited in what they can do because this is already passed,” he said. "This is already in law and any attacks that she or they are levying on the ESA program, we plan to defend the ESA program every single step of the way. They make very little secret of their effort to make sure to get rid of the ESAs one way or another.” 

Setyon noted the report goes a long way towards debunking the narrative of ESAs as "Welfare for the Wealthy."

"On one hand, anti-school choice activists hold that scholarship assistance for children enrolled in private schooling options is too financially burdensome to the state," the report's author, Matt Beienburg, said in a press release. "At the same time, however, they hold that taxpayer spending on children from families of identical wealth in the public school system is to be celebrated—if not increased."

Beienburg's May 15 report delves into Arizona's educational landscape, particularly focusing on the ESA program and its perceived impacts on taxpayers and student demographics. 

Gov. Hobbs' proposed budget plan to revoke scholarship opportunities for nearly 50,000 ESA students has sparked considerable debate. Beienburg scrutinizes the argument against the ESA program, which suggests that it disproportionately benefits wealthier families, contrasting this with the significant taxpayer funding directed towards high-income households in the public school system.

This dwarfs the amount spent on ESA students, undermining claims of financial burden posed by the ESA program. Despite media scrutiny and misconceptions regarding ESA funding, Beienburg illustrates that the actual taxpayer cost per student is substantially lower in the ESA program compared to public schools.

The report dissects critics' objections and highlights inconsistencies in arguments from those who are against the ESA program, particularly regarding its perceived affordability and impact on public schooling costs. 

The report calls for logical and consistent application of standards in evaluating educational policies, emphasizing the importance of maximizing educational opportunities for all students, regardless of economic background. 

Beienburg suggests celebrating the diversity of educational choices available in Arizona, including the ESA program, as a means to enhance overall student outcomes.

Amid the debate over Arizona's ESA program, Jenny Clark, founder of nonprofit Love Your School and member of the Arizona State Board of Education, issued a passionate response to recent criticisms from Hobbs. 

Clark staunchly refuted accusations by Hobbs that the ESA program lacks accountability and transparency, emphasizing its importance in providing access to alternative educational options for Arizona families. 

“The Governor’s office is again, directly attacking Arizona families by saying the ESA program is not transparent. What they are really talking about is that they want more control of parents and what they’re choosing to educate their children,” she said. 

In response to questions in regards to the fiscal responsibility of ESAs the state’s GOP leaders who have called for stepped-up enforcement of laws governing K-12 school districts amid findings of embezzlement and other violations in public education. 

The Goldwater Institute, located in Phoenix, Ariz., is a conservative and libertarian public policy think tank. It was founded in 1988 with the blessing of former U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater.