Author: jsumner

Phoenix, Ariz. – Today, the Arizona legislature passed a bipartisan budget funding the Arizona government for the next fiscal year. Although not perfect, the budget makes important steps toward strengthening Arizona’s children and families and setting them up for a brighter future.  

Among the notable pro-child and pro-family investments included in the budget: 

• $3.4 million for 9^th grade on track programs, investing in improving on-track and graduation rates at Arizona high schools. At Camelback High School, on-track rates have nearly doubled since the program was implemented in 2019.   
• $3.8 million for free school lunches, investing in eliminating co-pays for students on the reduced-price lunch program. Last year, this program increased school breakfast and lunch participation by 1 million. 
• $45 million for childcare subsidies, to begin eliminating the childcare waitlist that currently has nearly 6,000 children on it and help parents afford to work. 
• 2-year waiver of the Aggregate Expenditure Limit, eliminating near-term uncertainty pertaining to school budgets. Had this not been included, schools may not have been able to spend their full budgets, despite having been approved by the legislature.  

“We applaud Governor Hobbs and the Arizona legislature for working together to make crucial investments in Arizona’s children and families,” said Stand for Children Arizona Executive Director Rebecca Gau. “Although we would have liked to see more investments in Arizona’s families over some other elements of the budget, we are grateful for a focus on keeping kids on track for high school graduation, eliminating co-pays for reduced price lunches, expanding childcare subsidies, and giving schools the confidence to spend their budget. Continuing to invest in these programs will help set thousands of Arizona children on the path to a brighter future.” 

Tucson, Ariz. – Today, Stand for Children Arizona gathered parents and childcare providers from across Tucson to speak with Representative Alma Hernandez (LD 20) about the importance of early childhood investments to be included in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Among the topics discussed was the importance of investments in affordable childcare and the need for an earned income tax credit.  

The roundtable came at a time when the average cost of childcare for a single kid has risen to nearly $11,000 per year and nearly one-third of young children are eligible for child care subsidies. Numbers suggest than more than 2,000 children are currently on a waitlist for childcare subsidies.  

“As I talk to families in my district, the need for greater access to affordable childcare is evident,” said Representative Alma Hernandez. “Childcare is a vital necessity for these young families. I will continue to advocate for our state to make these crucial investments to support families in my district and throughout the state.”  

Video from the Early Childhood Roundtable can be seen here.  

Phoenix, Ariz. – Today, Stand for Children Arizona joined the Arizona Early Childhood Alliance for Early Childhood Day at the Capitol. As part of the festivities, more than 300 advocates from across the state came together at the Arizona Capitol to meet with lawmakers to advocate for pro-early childhood policies like an earned income tax credit and childcare subsidies. 

In addition to meeting with legislators, Early Childhood Day featured a panel discussion on Improving Arizona’s Early Childhood Education System. The panel featured experts in economic development including Katie Hurst, the Arizona Association for Economic Development Executive Director, Andrea Helart, the President and CEO of the Lake Havasu Chamber of Commerce, and Mike Hutchinson, the Executive Vice President of the Phoenix East Valley Partnership.  

Advocates also participated in a stroll around the Capitol and an advocacy training, learning important skills to help continue advocating for legislation to invest in childcare and an earned income tax credit.  

“Our children are the future of our state,” said Stand for Children Arizona Executive Director Rebecca Gau. “That’s why it is so important that we invest in them and their families to reduce the cost of childcare and return money to working families—two policies that 62% of Arizonans support.”

Pictures and video from the event can be found here.