“Arizona schools are clearly lacking many key resources that would help improve state education. Therefore it is a necessity that Proposition 100 be passed.”

May 17, 2010 • Antora Majumdar  
Filed under Opinion

As many of you may have heard, there will be a special election held on the 18^th of this month. The constituents of Arizona will be voing on Propositon 100 which, if voted into effect, will temporarily raise the Arizona sales tax by one percent. Now, people do not usually respond well to a higher tax as it can be a burden, however the tax is being put in place for a good cause. This is because the proceeds of this increased tax will go to education, health and human services, as well as public safety. Two thirds of the revenue will go to primary and secondary education and the other third will be delegated to the remaining  areas mentioned above. Arizona ranks second from the bottom in terms of educational spending, averaging around $7,112 per student: almost half that of Vermont, which leads in per pupil expenditure at $15,139. As a result Arizona schools are clearly lacking many key resources that would help improve state education. Therefore it is a necessity that Proposition 100 be passed. If it fails the consequences are serious. The Arizona Education Network estimates 15-20 percent of both primary and secondary teachers would lose their jobs without the passage of this bill. Higher education would be affected as well with ASU, Uof A, and NAU facing budget cuts of $107 million dollars and a $15 million dollar cut to community colleges. Unfotunately, there are a significant number of groups that oppose this tax increase. Namely the West Valley Tea Party Patriots  and the National Federation of Independent Businesses who argue that higher taxes takes away freedom. Regardless, when examining all the facts it is evident that Proposition 100 is beneficial and necessary piece of legislation that will hopefully be passed. For both students and teachers, as well as the betterment of our community and state education system as a whole.

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