As predicted, Andy Tobin had a difficult time in last night’s debate defending his failed record – especially his budgets that led directly to larger class sizes and record low per pupil spending that has taken Arizona straight to the bottom nationally in education.
“After last night’s failed debate performance, Arizona middle class families still can’t understand why Andy Tobin took Arizona schools to the bottom – and kept digging,” said Tyrone Gayle of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Andy Tobin couldn’t explain why he’s holding our students back with bigger class sizes and fewer teachers, but it’s clear that his misplaced priorities would only make Washington worse and fit right in with this toxic Congress that gives special interests tax cuts and shifts the burden to the middle class.”
BACKGROUND:
Tobin is Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives. Andy Tobin is currently speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives. According to his legislative profile, he “began serving as speaker of the House April 2011, and was re-elected in 2012 as the representative for District 1.” [AZLeg.gov, accessed 9/25/14]
Tobin Supported AZ State Budgets from FY 2010 to 2012. In June 2009, Tobin voted in favor of the state’s fiscal year 2010 budget plan. The bill passed 33 to 26 with one not voting. In March 2010, Tobin voted in favor of House Bill 2001, the general appropriations bill for fiscal years 2010 and 2011. The bill passed 34 to 25. In April 2011, Tobin voted in favor of the state’s fiscal year 2012 budget plan. The bill passed 40 to 19 with one not voting. [HB2643, 49thLegislature 1st Regular Session, 6/30/09; HB2001, 49th Legislature 7th Special Session, 3/11/10; SB1612, 50th Legislature 1st Regular Session, 4/01/11]
Arizona Education Association: Arizona’s Budgets from FY 2010 to FY 2012 Cut Over $1.77 Billion in Education Funds. In 2011, the Arizona Education Association reported that state budgets from FY 2010 to FY 2012 cut $1.77 billion in education funds. [Arizona Education Association, July 2011]
Voted For Budget That Cut $198 Million From Arizona’s Universities and 54 Percent From Arizona’s Community Colleges. In April 2011, Tobin voted in favor of the state’s fiscal year 2012 budget plan.The Arizona Capitol Times wrote that “The $72.9 million cut to community colleges in the fiscal 2012 budget represents 54.7 percent reduction of state funding […] Likewise, the $198 million cut to universities represents 22 percent of all state funding […].” The bill passed 40 to 19 with one not voting. [SB1612, 50th Legislature 1st Regular Session, 4/01/11; Arizona Capitol Times, 4/01/11]
Arizona Republic: 2012 Budget Continued “String of Cuts that Have Led to Larger Class Sizes” According to the Arizona Republic, “The 2012 Arizona budget, heavy with cuts but light on gimmicks, will make a lasting imprint on residents, services and the economy, both advocates and critics say. […] From kindergarten through community colleges to universities, the plan cuts education budgets by about $450 million. […] The public K-12 system is losing $148 million, lawmakers say; Brewer’s number is slightly lower at $133 million. The governor and the Legislature used different estimates on student enrollment next year. Educators say it continues a string of cuts that have led to larger class sizes and demoralized teachers.” [Arizona Republic, 4/02/11]
Phoenix New Times: Arizona’s Per Pupil Spending Estimated to Be the Lowest in the Country. According to the Phoenix New Times, “Arizona spends the fewest dollars per student on education than any other state in the country, according to an estimate. […] For the 2012-13 school year, the National Education Association ranks Arizona last in per-pupil spending. The NEA also ranked Arizona last in its report released last year, for the 2011-12 school year.” [Phoenix New Times, 3/26/14]
Arizona Supreme Court Found AZ Education Budget Cuts Impermissible. “Arizona public schools will get $317 million in new funding next year, after a judge Friday did the math on a state Supreme Court decision that found the state shorted the public-school system for four years during the recession. The total tab could be $2.9 billion.” [Arizona Republic, 7/11/14]