A coalition of business, education and political leaders hopes to build support to reinstate state-funded full-day kindergarten, a move that would pressure Gov. Doug Ducey to include it in his budget.
Republican lawmakers funded all-day kindergarten, in 2005 in exchange for then-Gov. Janet Napolitano supporting a 10-percent cut in income taxes. When the recession hit, the school funding went away — but the tax cut remained.
On Monday, Sen. Steve Smith was one of several speakers told the Arizona Board of Education there is evidence the full-day programs help improve long-term academic performance. The problem is coming up with the more than $200 million price tag. So how do you fund it?
"Great question. I think, again, what we're trying to achieve first is do we want this? Do we recognize as a state this is important. If it is, well, now let's talk about how do we pay for it," said Smith.
Smith said it's ultimately going to have to be Gov. Doug Ducey who takes the lead.
"If this is a project that he wants to pursue, I believe there's actual momentum in the Legislature to pursue it," Smith said.
Gubernatorial press aide Daniel Scarpinato said Ducey likes the concept and believes there is a link between full-day kindergarten and early literacy. But Scarpinato said Ducey won't commit to finding the dollars in the budget, saying only it remains "an area worthy of investment."
Phil Francis, the former CEO of PetSmart, said after the hearing he thinks public pressure can help.
"My first hope would be an outpouring of support, the governor and the legislature between them would think it was important to fund this, perhaps on a phase-in basis," said Francis. "And I do think the economy in Arizona's getting better. And I think it's possible we find a way to accomplish this without busting the budget."