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PHOENIX (AP) — A Senate panel has passed a measure that would significantly reduce funding used to provide an equal opportunity education to minority students in Arizona school districts.
Decades ago the federal government ordered 19 school districts to end racial discrimination practices and allowed them to levy higher local property taxes to pay for the changes.
Sen. Debbie Lesko of Peoria is sponsoring a measure that would reduce desegregation funding for 18 school districts over five to ten years. Lesko says Tucson Unified School District would be exempt.
Lesko says desegregation funding is outdated and unfair for neighboring school districts.
Opponents say the measure will devastate districts that receive the funding.
The Senate Finance Committee passed Senate Bill 1125 on a 3-2 vote Wednesday.
A similar measure failed to pass last year.
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