Arizona community colleges urge lawmakers to restore $12 million for adult education and workforce programs

Nick Ponder, appearing for the Arizona Community College Coordinating Council, told the House Appropriations Committee on June 24 that the community colleges remain concerned that the continuation package does not carry forward funding the Senate included for community college programs.

"The budget passed in the senate had $12,000,000 allocated to community colleges, and that is a direct impact on the students here in Arizona," Ponder said. He asked the committee to carry forward that $12 million, itemizing the Senate allocation as $6 million for adult education, $1.5 million for nursing workforce programs, $1.5 million for dual enrollment teacher training, and funding for a community‑college promise program targeted to low‑income students.

Ponder told the committee that about 800,000 Arizonans lack a high‑school diploma and that roughly two‑thirds of those individuals receive state assistance; he testified that improving adult education could reduce dependence on state supports and cited an estimated per‑individual cost figure discussed in testimony.

Chairman Livingston responded that the continuation package cannot accommodate the full list of additional items at this time but said he and members could pursue separate bills or a special session if the governor signed the continuation budget. "If the governor will sign this budget, I will fight and I will do Zoom calls and I will do phone calls... and I will recommend that we come back in special session," he said on the record.

Ponder requested the committee sustain the Senate funding level and opposed the continuation in its current form for community colleges, asking members to restore the specific line items for adult education, nursing workforce, dual enrollment and the newly funded community college promise program.