Arizona Tax Dollars Fund SeaWorld Trips?! You Won't Believe Where Your Money's Going!
Arizona ESA Funds Fueling San Diego Vacations?
An investigation by 12News has revealed that Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds are being used by some families to subsidize vacations, including trips to popular San Diego attractions like SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo. This revelation comes as the ESA program is projected to cost the state $1 billion this school year, impacting nearly 90,000 students.
The program, designed to provide financial assistance for private and homeschool education, allows parents to use tax dollars for various educational expenses. However, the investigation found that a non-profit organization, Love Your School, is actively teaching parents how to maximize their ESA funds, including using them for vacation-related expenses.
According to 12News, Love Your School recently hosted a webinar where speakers highlighted the potential of ESAs to cover educational experiences during family trips. One speaker specifically mentioned the San Diego Zoo as an “excellent learning experience” that could be funded through the program.
Lawmakers React to ESA Spending
State Representative Nancy Gutierrez expressed shock at the findings, stating, "We are cutting programs every single budget year, and yet people are going on our dime to the San Diego Zoo." The investigation also highlighted concerns that ESA funds disproportionately benefit wealthier families while negatively impacting the financial stability of high-performing Arizona school districts.
Jenny Clark, a homeschool mom and advocate for school vouchers, leads Love Your School. Public records indicate that her salary has significantly increased since co-founding the organization in 2020.
While the use of ESA funds for these types of activities is currently legal under Arizona law, the findings raise questions about the program's oversight and whether the funds are being used as intended. The debate surrounding the appropriate use of ESA funds is likely to continue as the program's reach and cost continue to grow.