The Grand Canyon Institute released a report on the impact of the state's 2.5% flat tax, since it was enacted by former Gov. Doug Ducey and implemented in 2023.
The report shows notably negative effects on education funding, including lost financial aid, larger classes and most recently a tuition surcharge for Arizona State University students. Research director Dave Wells says the flat tax is also what led to major state budget cuts.
"It’s a $2 billion cut that mostly went all to wealthy people. We estimate about 70% of it went to people whose income exceeds $200,000," Wells said.
Wells also says the report shows that with the flat tax in place, Arizona schools and universities will not be funded properly.
More Arizona education news
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A bill that would expand scholarship opportunities for community college students who want to become teachers advanced at the state Senate this week.
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The president of Buckeye’s Liberty Elementary School District governing board resigned Friday. The announcement came just days after parents in the district started a petition to recall him and the board's vice president.
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On a recent Tuesday morning, a group of elementary school kids gathered in a gymnasium for a theatrical interpretation of one of Grimms' Fairy Tales.
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Parents, students and teachers in the Buckeye district spoke out at this week’s governing board meeting, expressing their concerns about Board President Bryan Parks and Vice President Kris Kenyon.
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When the Trump administration issued an order freezing federal funding last week, many organizations who rely on that funding, including the Arizona Head Start Association, were stunned.