Governor Jan Brewer says her budget for the upcoming fiscal year will include money to help implement the new Common Core standards in K-12 education. From Phoenix, KJZZ’s Mark Brodie reports.

MARK BRODIE: The governor says having an educated workforce is essential to attracting and retaining jobs in the state, and that Common Core will help accomplish that. Forty-seven states, including Arizona, will be implementing the standards in math and English. But, incoming Senate President Andy Biggs says he’s still trying to figure out how much it’ll cost.

Arizona legislative leaders, from left: House Speaker Andy Tobin, House Minority Leader Chad Campbell, Senate President Andy Biggs, Senate Minority Leader Leah Landrum Taylor. (Photo by Mark Brodie - KJZZ)

ANDY BIGGS: I’ve heard a range anywhere from $30 million, I’ve heard up to $300 million, which seems really high. I think we’re trying to figure out exactly how much that is, so when you say, ‘Are we ready to go,’ I think that we need to find out how it is before we say, ‘Yeah, let’s start the car and start driving.’

BRODIE: The new standards will include the input of teachers, business-people and other experts. And, Governor Brewer says she knows how much she’s willing to put towards implementing them.

JAN BREWER: I believe that we do know. I think we know how much revenue is estimated to come in, and we will be sure that we have a balanced budget, but we will do what is necessary to continue Arizona on the path that it is on – getting better and better.

BRODIE: The governor says it’s important to fund the transition to Common Core, and that she’ll release more specifics as part of her budget next Friday.