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Business groups back Gov. Ducey’s education budget Letter from coalition of business organizations supports governor’s education budget request, urges legislators to do the same |
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PHOENIX (February 2, 2017) – The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a coalition of business groups from across the state have released a letter of support for Governor Doug Ducey’s Fiscal Year 2017-2018 education budget, and they are urging state legislative leaders to support the budget request as well. “The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other major business groups in the state are thrilled that the governor’s budget continues the momentum that we have achieved with the passage of Proposition 123,” Arizona Chamber President and CEO Glenn Hamer said of the proposition adopted by voters last May that injects $3.5 billion into the state’s K-12 system over the next decade. “We’re excited the governor’s budget calls for over $114 million to go to our K-12 system, while directing resources to our excellent schools, with a special emphasis on those great schools that are achieving outstanding results and that are serving a majority low-income student population.” Joining the Arizona Chamber in signing the letter are the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, and several other chambers from across the state. The letter is as follows: Dear Chairman Shooter, Chairwoman Lesko, and Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees: As some of this state’s most engaged business and community organizations, we jointly write to express our support of Governor Ducey’s executive budget proposal. After eight years of difficult decisions and post-recession budget adjustments, the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 executive budget reflects a comprehensive blueprint for investment in an area of critical public impact— education. Not only does the proposed budget prioritize new resources for education, it strategically directs dollars to areas where they can have the greatest and most immediate impact—namely early literacy, teacher pay, expanding access to excellent public schools, and support for university infrastructure likely to attract additional investment and research dollars. We all recognize that K-12 and Achieve60AZ will require fairly consistent investments by the citizens of this state. However, we also recognize that our students, taxpayers and industries deserve to see positive academic outcomes, and work-ready graduates in return. This budget makes a meaningful move in that direction and sets us up for fruitful conversations going forward. The budget plan on the table represents an excellent framework for how new resources and high expectations can work together in thinking about an updated education investment strategy. We support its passage. Thank you for your commitment to responsibly manage our state resources and allocate them in ways that can do the most good for students. We look forward to serving as a resource for you this legislative session. Please do not hesitate to reach out should our organizations be able to provide any additional information on our support for the proposed budget and our shared vision for Arizona’s future. Sincerely, Ambos Nogales Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce Chandler Chamber of Commerce Douglas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Greater Phoenix Economic Council Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber Marana Chamber of Commerce Mesa Chamber of Commerce Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce Sierra Vista Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce |
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