On Monday, Arizona Treasurer Jeff DeWit visited Tucson to discuss his opposition to Proposition 123. DeWit has been very vocal in his opposition to the education funding scheme pushed by Governor Doug Ducey.
DeWit has earned the scorn of Ducey due to his position that the State currently has adequate money to fully fund education without raiding the State Land Trust Fund, which would be the effect should Proposition 123 pass in a Special Election this May. “The economy in Arizona has grown over the past three years,” stated DeWit during his appearance on the James T. Harris radio show on Monday. “We have $600 million – literally right now – sitting in the State’s account. Projections show that it will grow to $1.6 billion next year. Now if we only have to give the schools $200 million, we can do that and still lower taxes. That is the smart way to do this; just use the money that has come in. Don’t pay any more lawyers, and save the trust fund.”