Howard Fischer PHOENIX — Lame-duck Gov. Doug Ducey said Monday he won't call a special legislative session to deal with school funding problems before his term ends this month until he gets a promise lawmakers will deal with some issues on his own agenda.
But Daniel Ruiz, his chief of staff, said providing more state funds in vouchers for students to pay for private and parochial schools is"certainly a priority that's been discussed.'' So, too, he said, are issues ranging from border security to changes in election laws. State Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa, who chairs the House Education Committee, said lawmakers who voted for the budget were assured Ducey would support a special session by the end of this year. That would end the uncertainty, especially with a new crop of lawmakers taking office in January who had nothing to do with the approved budget nor with the bipartisan deal that made it possible.
Ducey, constitutionally precluded from seeking a third term, had backed fellow Republican Kari Lake for governor. He said she was a better choice to continue his priorities including vouchers and tax cuts. And then there are vouchers. Formally known as"empowerment scholarship accounts,'' they provide state dollars for private and parochial school tuition and costs.