The state Senate was expected Thursday to approve a billto restore $28 million to high school career and technical education programs, known as Joint Technical Education Districts, or JTEDs.
Without the bill, which the House has already approved, those programs would see a $30 million cut this year. The Senate was supposed to vote on the bill Wednesday, but held off after Governor Doug Ducey expressed concern. He said career and technical education programs are important, but the spending has to be seen in context.
Of the legislature’s 90 members, 51 have signed on as prime sponsors of the bill. The house approved it 58-0, and the governor now said he’ll sign it. The bill includes some additional oversight, including a task force to make sure there’s uniformity in course offerings and certifications.
Jeramy Plumb, superintendent of Mountain Institute JTED in Prescott, spoke about the bill.
