Grand Canyon Times

Arizona State Sen. Janae Shamp (R-Surprise) is defending the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program amid attempts by the state's top Democrats to cancel it.

ESAs provide funding for underprivileged students to have equal access to educational opportunities. According to the Arizona Department of Education, 75,573 students currently benefit from the ESA Program.

"I firmly believe parents know what's best for their children, not the government," Shamp told the Grand Canyon Times. 

“The ESA program gives parents the opportunity to make the best possible decisions regarding their child's education. It provides children with disabilities the opportunity to get an education suited for their learning style, and it opens doors for children who live in certain rural or urban areas to receive an education that would not have previously been an option. The ESA program is setting Arizona's children up for success, which is why tens of thousands of families are enrolled in the program.”

Shamp emphasized the importance of choice in education. 

“Parents deserve the right to pursue the best possible education for their child, and the ESA program allows them to do that,” she said. 

“We have some of the best public schools in the nation in our state. Most of them happen to be charter schools, though, which offer families educational opportunities beyond traditional public schools. Whether it's charter schools, homeschooling, or another nontraditional system, parents should have access to what is best for each individual child. It's important we protect this.”

The ESA program has faced criticism from Democratic lawmakers, with Gov. Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes, both Democrats, leading the charge against it. 

Hobbs' previously attempted to defund the program in the state’s 2023 budget. At the time she stated that ESAs "will likely bankrupt the state" and that her proposed budget "truly invests in public schools."

However, Hobbs was unsuccessful in her attempt to remove the program’s funding which posted a surplus that year.  

Also, in 2022-2023, despite increased ESA enrollment, Arizona posted a $2 billion budget surplus. 

From 2023-2024, while ESA awards surpassed projections to 75,000 students, public school enrollment declines led to an overall education budget savings amounting to $93 million, resulting in a net positive for education funding.

Shamp has warned that eliminating the program would have serious repercussions for Arizona’s most vulnerable students. 

“Arizona's Democrat governor, Democrat attorney general, and Democrat legislators have all made it their top priority to end the ESA program. Ending School Choice would be devastating to our state's children, especially for those living in low-income areas as well as for children with disabilities,” she said.

The Nov. 5 election could seal the fate of ESAs if Democrats win control of the legislature, where Republicans currently hold the majority by only two seats.   

“Having a Republican-controlled Legislature is the only reason we've been able to keep the program going. In order to protect parents' rights to their children's education, Republicans must maintain the majority.”

Shamp questioned the motives of her Democratic counterparts and called for unity among Republicans to safeguard what she views as essential rights for Arizona families.

“Democrats do not support school choice,” she said. “Why exactly? I don't know the answer to that. I'm not sure why they are so adamant that the government should raise our children and have full control over their education. Democrats also believe in throwing tax dollars at failing systems, instead of empowering parents to use their tax dollars on the educational settings that meet their children’s unique needs and allow them to excel.”

In a press release from Hobbs this year, Democrat legislative leaders expressed support for the Governor's plan to increase transparency and accountability within the ESA program.  

"The Republican expansion of government to universal ESA vouchers has put our state’s financial security at risk, and our students at risk without any safeguards. We included the work that Democrats have done for years in developing this plan with Gov. Hobbs," said Senate Democratic Leader Mitzi Epstien.   

However, detailed invoices are already required for expenses such as tuition, tutoring and educational therapies. 

In an article by AZ Free News, Republicans shared their sentiments countering Hobbs’ proposals. 

Senator Jake Hoffman said in a post on X: “Let’s be very clear… Katie’s half cocked attempt to destroy an invaluable parental choice option via ‘death by a thousand cuts’ is DOA at the Capitol. The Arizona Freedom Caucus will make sure of it.” 

Representative Jacqueline Parker added, “Nothing lacks more accountability & transparency than the government school system. ESA’s are an extremely successful & equalizing solution, so of course democrats want to mess it up.”