[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6190482,"mediaKeyId","5049033-e494d2539bc7482467ff61186b03c9c8","parentId",5049033,"title","Appropriations committee advances competing measures to lock Prop 123 distribution and direct funds to teacher pay; educators warn of exclusions","audioSeconds",1785,"startMs",2575195,"endMs",4360844,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5049033-e494d2539bc7482467ff61186b03c9c8&start=2575&end=4360","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5049033-e494d2539bc7482467ff61186b03c9c8/thumbnail_2575195.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6190482/Arizona/Appropriations-committee-advances-competing-measures-to-lock-Prop-123-distribution-and-direct-funds-to-teacher-pay-educators-warn-of-exclusions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190482-709d1771bab45d4ac710c2b022f3d19d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172561&Signature=EBrhcieO6sLxdocLIY0w80gC90Hmofp5dan5UECL09YhEBrsRvn4MthrwYZ7ayxMV4zFoY2A1D0s8h8oVCQe~C0um7bXoaj~gbiOsB0LB4uUWKqdM7FkiKBr6vO7Cvv9ybmpnxxA8C6mdbM~9FceVzSaFPgIoJfh4ENkbvs~KEw6-khSpuSnVj5aUcBR3zypM4s2ec0XPfPOi9lWK9g3R12T7xFntqePqtvVEzCRefiVyc0tQbX6x0ifRxezO3CsQIOvySrGObc2SjwQBFIgF1WH0Ek2mxgRCjWYTWc6PLbHFWxLROTgKZeb8qL6lSMk95dLMNu~8k1MayogkO-b7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arizona Legislature","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Arizona House Appropriations Committee on June 17 advanced two related strike‑everything amendments that would preserve a higher Permanent State School Fund distribution rate and channel increased expendable earnings to teacher compensation.

Chairman Livingston’s amendment to HCR 2031 would prohibit the state or any state officer from reducing the annual distribution rate from the Permanent State School Fund below 6.9% on the effective date through fiscal year 2036, with mechanisms to reduce the rate only under existing constitutional language or a three‑fourths legislative vote. The amendment instructs that, until fiscal year 2037, any increased expendable earnings above a 2.5% distribution be appropriated for a statewide teacher compensation program to increase base salaries for eligible teachers.

A companion Livingston amendment to HCR 2058 would, if voters approve the change, require districts and charters to revise salary schedules to raise base salaries, create a teacher pay fund administered by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), set per‑teacher amounts, and require reporting and compliance reviews by ADE and the Auditor General.

Why supporters said yes: Chairman Livingston and backers said locking a higher distribution rate and directing funds to teacher pay will increase classroom teacher salaries and help recruit and retain educators. \"Teacher pay. I'm for it. I think we need to do whatever we can to work on paying teachers more,\" Livingston told the committee.

Concerns raised by educators and districts: witnesses representing the Arizona School Superintendents Association, the Arizona Education Association, the Vail School District and classroom teachers warned the amendments as drafted exclude many staff and could limit local flexibility. Rebecca Beebe of the Arizona School Superintendents Association said the group was \"signed in opposed to this bill because of the underlying strike everything amendment.\" Marisol Garcia, an eighth‑grade teacher and president of the Arizona Education Association, said the draft's approach — which relies on evaluation‑linked bonuses rather than built‑in salary increases — \"will not necessarily move the needle as needed than if it went directly to salaries.\"

Parents and special‑education advocates also testified that the proposals would de‑prioritize paraprofessionals, counselors, nurses and other education support personnel (ESPs) who provide essential services to students with disabilities. Parent and paraprofessional Amanda Lugo told the committee that prioritizing general‑education teacher pay \"is going to ignore the needs of special education staff and support personal[sic]\" and could reduce school choice for disabled students.

Formal action: both Livingston strike‑everything amendments were adopted in committee and each resolution was returned with a due‑pass recommendation. The committee recorded HCR 2031 as returned with a due‑pass recommendation (tally reported in committee: 10 yeses, 7 noes, 1 not voting). The companion HCR 2058 also passed the committee (tally reported in committee: 10 yeses, 7 noes, 1 not voting), and both measures direct the secretary of state to place the proposed constitutional change before voters.

Next steps and open issues: lawmakers asked for further stakeholder work, including clarifying who qualifies as an eligible \"teacher,\" how raises would interact with local salary schedules, and how evaluation systems would determine eligibility. Several legislators said they support higher teacher pay but want amendments to address exclusions of ESPs, special‑education staffing pressures, wage‑compression and local flexibility before final passage.

Ending note: the committee advanced the measures to the next stage but testimony shows significant technical concerns remain; sponsors and opponents said they will pursue edits before floor action or the voter referral.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06/17/2025 - House Appropriations","oneSentenceSummary","Chairman Livingston’s strike‑everything amendments to HCR 2031 and HCR 2058 would lock the Permanent State School Fund distribution rate at 6.9% through FY2036 and require increased expendable earnings be directed to teacher compensation; the committee advanced both measures amid objections from school leaders, teachers and parents who said many educators and support staff were excluded.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Arizona, Arizona","taxId",78572,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6190492,"Committee backs temporary freeze on Medicaid expansion enrollments, trims state share by $108 million",1121,47705,1169635,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5049033-e494d2539bc7482467ff61186b03c9c8&start=47&end=1169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5049033-e494d2539bc7482467ff61186b03c9c8/thumbnail_47705.jpg","/articles/6190492/Arizona/Committee-backs-temporary-freeze-on-Medicaid-expansion-enrollments-trims-state-share-by-108-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190492-44e2af74b2c1f33ef202f332ae2c7f06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172561&Signature=Byo8HEEuAk0P9Ko7yBK4S0VpPbjlV3DgDEUmWZGznn8Y~xYFYGz2vfV5oziNoZ-YRbWkOll~s4sC7UV5IN3HAUW6vo0KbXEfiMWZufm89Z78HoTCvcDRSbDaxI4uZAk7nsfqML6SN-atgxzUg~KyIWBC4TYxiHv6k2Aa3QpGWhSljRjH6sAGQNGKJvLocEwiem1l69Uc~0IleuqgdaZvkNaFU79VY~rO3qUCqXm8nsu9RQAkhdbBr2bBDmoh62HN4Df30Gx7YxwZZ9OmvmTjXMwv-B7tcBYl16VA8yoGFL39AHU25j9Xr3VM27nV6tgEDwgdl12Of0rDMNCCBUwzsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arizona House Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday adopted the Olson “strike‑everything” amendment to Senate Bill 14‑70, cutting the fiscal 2026 state general fund appropriation tied to Medicaid expansion by $108,000,000 and freezing new enrollments for the expansion population created by Proposition 204.

The amendment also shifts $75,000,000 from the hospital assessment fund to cover the state’s non‑federal share of traditional Medicaid costs. Committee members voted to return SB 14‑70 as amended with a due‑pass recommendation.

Why it matters: sponsor Representative Olson said the change is aimed at limiting state spending growth and preparing for possible reductions in the federal Medicaid match. \"We may have to absorb substantial savings in this program. Let's put a freeze on new enrollments for the Medicaid expansion population so that if we have to absorb these reductions in the federal match, we're in a much better position to do so,\" Olson said during the hearing.

How supporters framed it: Olson and other backers described the move as fiscal prudence. Olson pointed to the state budget’s growth rate and the uncertain outcome of a congressional budget reconciliation process that a House bill — as discussed by witnesses and committee members — would direct roughly $880 billion in Medicaid savings nationwide. Olson said it would be better to avoid enrolling people now only to remove benefits later if federal funds are reduced.

Concerns raised: Representative Gutierrez responded that the amendment “preemptively give[s] up millions of federal funds in drawdown” and called the measure \"careless,\" saying the federal bill was not yet law and that preemptively cutting state‑level drawdown could hurt Arizonans who rely on the program. Representative Willoughby said she opposed using hospital assessment funds without hospitals’ consent and asked for further amendments to address that concern.

Formal action: the committee adopted the Olson amendment and then voted to give SB 14‑70 as amended a due‑pass recommendation. The committee recorded a roll tally that returned the bill as amended with a recommendation to pass (tally reported in committee: 10 yeses, 7 noes, 1 not voting).

What the amendment does and does not do: according to committee staff, the amendment reduces the state appropriation by $108 million, freezes enrollment of people eligible for expansion under Proposition 204, and shifts $75 million from the hospital assessment fund to cover non‑federal Medicaid costs. Olson and staff said the measure does not remove benefits from people already enrolled; it pauses adding new enrollees from the expansion population.

Next steps: SB 14‑70 as amended moves forward with the committee’s due‑pass recommendation. Any further adjustments could be made on the House or Senate floor or by later legislative action, the chair noted.

Ending note: supporters framed the amendment as a preemptive, temporary fiscal measure tied to federal uncertainty; critics warned it risks foregoing federal funds and could disproportionately affect low‑income Arizonans if the freeze reduces access.

","The Arizona House Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday adopted the Olson “strike‑everything” amendment to Senate Bill 14‑70, cutting the fiscal 2026 state general fund appropriation tied to Medicaid expansion by $108,000,000 and freezing new enrollments for the expansion population created by Proposition 204.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6190478,"Winslow cleared to hold special election to renew 1% transaction privilege tax that funds local hospital",619,6058614,6678390,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5049033-e494d2539bc7482467ff61186b03c9c8&start=6058&end=6678","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5049033-e494d2539bc7482467ff61186b03c9c8/thumbnail_6058614.jpg","/articles/6190478/Arizona/Winslow-cleared-to-hold-special-election-to-renew-1-transaction-privilege-tax-that-funds-local-hospital","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190478-d976decbb641ad985288c23d68d9498d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172561&Signature=U6vOUtfPHkD2R6kmT2KS4Yy0BQlxIKh9vQ7CHSV2Ut7BFvKDSRK~OxedjbX5kDw5FLYeyVcC4OO1tIuS3bciMSNQ0zqqz8MKAZO7g8-oPnvUOzCnB9mFifXoa7fBSQIj0o1KxWJ4IEWP1Ixj3-ccHts7w0AfzrYD0Bum6-R~GxAWnEi8j-bDy5VDtQDGmSjyayCqhtdtcWG674i17OD2RtO4b3kXwphj9~1w7ChN2WjdFz9TalRb9lnzqUPK7gs2RlfedPjM5A9YydDaHCOtID8Cs0SlehuJsaaMP3sfIJrGN3hJOwBKqy5zVOu7bvyC0JKyJiYHJW~TrASgEQI-KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Appropriations on June 17 voted to allow the city of Winslow to place a question on a special election ballot in 2026 asking voters to reauthorize a 1% transaction privilege tax that is set to expire July 15, 2026.

Sponsor Representative Myron Sosie said the TPT was approved by Winslow voters in 2020 for five years and the city missed the consolidated election deadline this cycle; the bill authorizes a special election on either March 10, 2026, or May 19, 2026 so the tax question can be decided before the current levy expires. Karen Cruz, representing the city, described the omission as \"a simple oops\" and said the tax is important to maintain funding for Winslow Hospital, which also serves Holbrook and surrounding communities.

Committee action: the committee moved HB 29‑46 and returned it with a due‑pass recommendation. Committee members recorded the bill as returned with a due‑pass recommendation (tally reported in committee: 15 yeses, 2 noes, 1 voting present, 1 not voting).

Background and scope: staff told the panel the bill authorizes Winslow to hold a special municipal election for the limited purpose of reauthorizing the existing 1% TPT; the tax proceeds support local services including the hospital. The sponsor and city representative said the city’s prior five‑year authorization expires July 15, 2026 and the special election timeline will avoid a gap in funding.

Next steps: HB 29‑46 will proceed with a due‑pass recommendation; staff and the sponsor said they will supply any additional election and vote history records requested by committee members.

Ending note: proponents said the authorization is a targeted fix to allow voters in a rural municipality to renew a narrowly tailored tax that funds essential local services; at least one legislator said he would prefer consolidated November elections but supported this one‑time remedy for a small city with limited administrative capacity.

","House Bill 29‑46 authorizes the city of Winslow to hold a special election in 2026 to reauthorize a 1% transaction privilege tax set to expire July 15, 2026; sponsor and city representatives said the missed filing was an oversight and the measure is intended to preserve funding for the local hospital and nearby communities.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6190487,"Panel advances bill banning 'foreign adversaries' from owning land near Arizona military sites, mandates reports to federal agencies",1291,1191775,2483095,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5049033-e494d2539bc7482467ff61186b03c9c8&start=1191&end=2483","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5049033-e494d2539bc7482467ff61186b03c9c8/thumbnail_1191775.jpg","/articles/6190487/Arizona/Panel-advances-bill-banning-foreign-adversaries-from-owning-land-near-Arizona-military-sites-mandates-reports-to-federal-agencies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190487-de53901a0a155ef697deae640cc544c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172561&Signature=o0TWGhbBwJOfT38mmoj4FOmLnSHXAdAM9R0IvZgcJuJQhuDx2Es4o1YykT5YBYijvguExeMs5JYjvrPgHCi91NPtb1~hBRvdjb-2ZluS7~rOohWqyp4VhOheqlzqiIHvSwRufyvPgrag41p5z2enhPfQcp8bZyDjVZSb1VrNmBwFftzv0GB3OI-yE7eTmA3x1DcVy7CXBabJDF-6tJYWA830fsErnH92sEJKS30DNsKlMfxDn-wW1F3cuX9NkORinMGqnDq3gO7-CUzTU6V4VMrS~Adt5JszD0pzy-3IqQ-Ni0U3EI16wvYbnUfLfYdC~3lDMArNi-6CFQIGIUw6JQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Appropriations on June 17 adopted a strike‑everything amendment to Senate Bill 10‑82 that would prohibit certain foreign adversaries from purchasing or owning real property in Arizona and require state enforcement and reporting when violations are discovered.

Sponsor Sen. Jenae Shamp told the committee the bill targets nations and entities identified by the Director of National Intelligence and aims to reduce the state’s \"surface area of risk\" around military installations and critical infrastructure. Shamp said she will provide data to federal law enforcement on entities she and staff identified during a records review.

Luke Air Force Base and homeland‑defense officials urged strengthening the bill’s reporting requirements and closing voluntary reporting gaps. James Mitchell, formerly director of Luke’s community initiatives team, recommended making submission to the federal Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) mandatory in certain divestiture cases: \"That loophole needs to be closed,\" he told the committee.

Gabe Levine, director of the state Division of Emergency Management, said the bill’s broad applicability across Arizona military and sensitive sites is a strength but suggested tightening the divestment window: \"A year of foreign adversaries owning property adjacent to sensitive sites and military installations is a year of intelligence collection,\" Levine said, arguing the time allowed for divestiture creates risk.

What the amendment does: committee staff said the amendment prohibits foreign principals from countries designated by the Director of National Intelligence from buying, owning or acquiring real property; requires the attorney general to bring enforcement actions in superior court and report suspected espionage activities to federal law enforcement; allows limited exemptions and sets conditions on parcel size, location and proximity to military installations; and gives a one‑year divestment window for transfers after acquisition.

Formal action: committee members adopted the strike‑everything amendment and returned SB 10‑82 as amended with a due‑pass recommendation. The committee recorded the bill as returned with a due‑pass recommendation (tally reported in committee: 11 yeses, 5 noes, 1 voting present, 1 not voting).

Next steps and open issues: witnesses and several legislators asked for edits — including shortening the divestment period, clarifying definitions of \"foreign adversary\" to cover agents acting on behalf of adversary governments, and requiring mandatory CFIUS filings — and the sponsor said she is open to revisions and to working with the governor’s office.

Ending note: supporters framed the measure as a statewide safeguard for military installations and infrastructure; critics and some members asked for technical changes to avoid unintended impacts on individuals and private property rights.

","Senate Bill 10‑82, as amended, would bar persons tied to nations designated as foreign adversaries from purchasing or holding real property in Arizona near military installations or critical infrastructure, require attorney general enforcement and reporting, and allow limited divestment windows; committee returned the bill with a due‑pass rec.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Appropriations committee advances competing measures to lock Prop 123 distribution and direct funds to teacher pay; educators warn of exclusions

Committee backs temporary freeze on Medicaid expansion enrollments, trims state share by $108 million

Winslow cleared to hold special election to renew 1% transaction privilege tax that funds local hospital

Panel advances bill banning 'foreign adversaries' from owning land near Arizona military sites, mandates reports to federal agencies