Huge Private School Voucher Expansion Passes In Arizona

The Arizona Legislature passed a statewide expansion of taxpayer funded private school vouchers and sending the measure to the desk of Governor Doug Ducey, who is expected to sign it.

Earlier in the day, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton blasted the plan as "shocking irresponsible," saying that it "only drains resources from our public schools."

The state senate adopted the bill 16-13, voting largely along party lines with Republicans in favor of it.

The bills expands school vouchers to all 1.1 million schoolchildren in Arizona.

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"This legislation is a backdoor way to defund public education on a massive scale," said Stanton. "Our state does not lack for school choice, and Arizonans of all stripes have been loudly calling for more investment in public education -- not this."

The proposal could cost the state at least $24 million, the legislature's budget office estimated in February.

The program, which was started in 2011, eventually expanded to include a variety of students including foster children, children on Indian reservations, and those attending failing schools.

Governor Ducey, who has not taken a public stance on the measures, is believed to be working behind the scenes to push the measures forward.

Stanton called the plan "stunning."

Photo City of Phoenix.