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Arizona Senate approves groups of House bills, including two House budget packages, after debate over K‑12 funding
Summary
The Arizona Senate passed two groups of House bills, including two budget packages, by 16-11-3 votes after members debated cuts to K‑12 education and formula weights; several senators publicly explained their votes.
The Arizona Senate on June 25 approved two groups of House bills, including the first and second House budget packages sent to the Senate, after members debated cuts to K‑12 education funding and state budget priorities.
Senators voted 16 ayes, 11 nays and 3 not voting to approve the first group of House bills, and later recorded the same tally to approve a second group of House bills. The measures were signed in open session and the secretary was instructed to return the bills to the House.
Senators opposing the budget measures said the packages contain cuts that would reduce funding for K‑12 schools. “This ... contains some very damaging and harmful cuts to programs. I urge a no vote,” said Senator Sundarization as she explained her vote. Senator Epstein also opposed the measures, arguing lawmakers are not adequately funding public education: “District additional assistance is fundamental. It is basically for books and buses. The basic materials that the children use to learn is what we are not funding appropriately with budgets like this. ... It’s time to fully fund public education. I vote no.”
Senator Leach, who voted aye, acknowledged fiscal uncertainty and federal funding risks but said the budget “goes in the right direction. It doesn’t go far enough.” Senator Hoffman, who voted yes on at least one of the measures, described personal news and recorded a yes vote.
Votes at a glance - House bills 2947, 2948, 2949, 2950, 2951, 2952, 2953, 2954, 2955, 2956, 2957, 2958, 2959, 2960 and 2961 — final passage (group vote): passed 16 ayes, 11 nays, 3 not voting. Secretary instructed to return bills to the House. - House bills 2962, 2963, 2964, 2965, 2966, 2967, 2968, 2969, 2970, 2971, 2972, 2973 and 2974 — final passage (group vote): passed 16 ayes, 11 nays, 3 not voting. Secretary instructed to return bills to the House.
Why it matters Members of both parties framed their votes around fiscal prudence and education funding priorities. Opponents said the House-originated packages maintain or deepen cuts to K‑12 programs — referencing the removal of a poverty weight and reductions to district additional assistance that, according to speakers, fund basic school supplies and transportation. Supporters cited economic uncertainty and fiscal constraints in arguing the measures were an appropriate course for this stage of the session.
What happened Majority leadership moved to suspend the rules to allow several House bills to be read a second and third time the same day and then moved a group final-passage vote for each listed set of bills. Members who rose to explain their votes highlighted different rationales: objections focused on education cuts and the absence of bipartisan consultation; supporters cited fiscal caution and projections of weaker revenues.
The bills approved in the group votes were signed in open session and transmitted back to the House for further action.
Source excerpts: Senators who spoke publicly explaining their votes included Senator Sundarization, Senator Epstein, Senator Leach and Senator Hoffman. The roll call outcomes were read aloud in open session and recorded by the secretary.
