Gov. Doug Ducey is defending himself against criticism of his plan to use state trust land money to fund K-12 education.
Ducey has proposed putting $1.8 billion in trust land money into public education between 2017 and 2022. The fund currently pays out about $80 million a year to the schools.
The proposal drew fire from State Treasurer Jeff DeWitt and former treasurer Dean Martin. But, the governor, who is also a former treasurer, said there’s no need to be concerned his plan would run the fund into the ground,
“Whenever you’ve got a big idea like this and you’re trying to move it forward. Let’s remember what we’re doing here. We’re putting over two-billion dollars intoK-12 education without raising taxes," Ducey said.
DeWitt sent state lawmakers a letter this week stating concerns the plan could subject Arizona to another costly and public court battle, which further delays school funding.