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Capitol Media Services
2.01.2006
By Howard Fischer Tucson, Arizona | Published: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/113911
PHOENIX — A proposed compromise Tuesday by Gov. Janet Napolitano on the
issue of funding English-language instruction was rebuffed by Republican
legislative leaders as "insincere window dressing."
In a four-page proposal to lawmakers, Napolitano said she would be willing
to sign legislation that would let corporations divert some of their
income-tax obligations — no more than $5 million a year for all companies
combined, for no more than five years — to organizations that provide
scholarships so students classified as "English language learners" could
attend private and parochial schools. She twice vetoed more expensive plans
last week.
But Senate President Ken Bennett called that meaningless because of the
strings attached, including subjecting these schools to some of the same
restrictions as public schools.
For example, schools would have to accept all students on a first-come,
first-served basis, provide transportation and meals and use only certified
teachers in classrooms with students learning English. He said that amounted
to "government squashing private schools with a bunch of regulations."
The stalemate sends Arizona into its eighth day of being out of compliance
with a federal court deadline to come up with an acceptable funding plan.
Fines have been accumulating at the rate of $500,000 a day.
What will be done with those dollars still remains up in the air. U.S.
District Judge Raner Collins agreed Tuesday to give the governor, the
Legislature and state School Superintendent Tom Horne 24 more hours — until
5 p.m. today — to offer suggestions.
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