Gov. Katie Hobbs has notified the State Treasurer's Office that a $50 million grant set aside for school voucher recipients is illegal and invalid.
The grant agreement was made in the final hours of the Ducey administration.
Hobbs announced this week that it attempted to improperly use federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act to fund all-day kindergarten for ESA recipients.
That’s despite the fact that the state only funds half-day kindergarten for public school students.
Hobbs said the agreement violates multiple constitutional provisions and her office is looking at alternatives for legal use of the $50 million.
“Illegally giving $50 million to private schools while failing to properly invest in public education is just one example of the previous administration’s disregard for public school students,” Hobbs said. “I will always fight to protect our public schools and work to give every Arizona student the education they deserve."
Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee responded in a written statement saying her legal team is reviewing the lawfulness of the governor's move and determining next steps.
“It is clear Governor Hobbs does not care about what is best for Arizona kids or respect the rights of parents to determine the best environment to educate their child," Yee said. "Instead, she is using these children as pawns in a desperate and transparent attempt to win back support from union bosses and her ultra-progressive base."