Yee Aims to Challenge Horne for State School Superintendent Position

Arizona’s political landscape is evolving as state Treasurer Kimberly Yee sets her sights on becoming the next superintendent of public instruction, challenging incumbent Tom Horne. Yee’s bid follows her inability to seek reelection as treasurer, emphasizing her belief that she can better address the academic challenges facing Arizona students.

In a press conference, Yee articulated her frustration with Horne, particularly his recent denial of reimbursements for certain state-funded vouchers. This issue has polarized members of the GOP, particularly within the Freedom Caucus. Yee asserted that parents should have more autonomy in determining what expenses are deemed necessary for their children’s education.

Horne’s administration has faced scrutiny after rejecting reimbursements for questionable expenses such as expensive luxury items. According to Yee, this approach undermines the purpose of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, which aim to offer broader educational choices for families.

“I believe in school choice and an educational free marketplace,” Yee stated, clarifying that current laws should not limit parental decisions. She suggested that if the law governing vouchers is ambiguous, Horne should engage with legislators to delineate clearer parameters.

In response, Horne defended his decisions, asserting compliance with legal guidelines. He expressed confidence in the legitimacy of expenditures he approved and highlighted a lack of successful appeals from upset parents. Additionally, he acknowledged ongoing conversations with legislative leaders to amend the Parent Handbook for better clarity.

While Yee criticized Horne’s leadership, pointing to declining student performance, she refrained from outlining specific solutions. The GOP race for the nomination coincides with critical discussions in the state legislature regarding the future of Proposition 123, which funds K-12 education from a dedicated trust account.

Lawmakers are grappling with the implications of extending Proposition 123, which brings approximately $350 million annually to schools but is set to expire this year. Both Republican lawmakers and Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs favor maintaining these funds, yet ideological divisions remain, particularly around proposed constitutional protections for vouchers.

Yee is currently assessing the GOP’s linked proposal on the voucher issue but has expressed reservations about withdrawing excessive funds from the trust, advocating for a more measured approach. “We don’t want to raid the program,” she cautioned, suggesting that maintaining the integrity of the trust should be a priority.

As the race intensifies, the focus on educational funding and governance continues to shape Arizona’s political discourse.