Special Election Statewide May 17 > Deadline Today To Register To Vote

A statewide special election on Tuesday, May 17 will be held for voters to decide on two ballot measures:

Proposition 123 (relating to education and finance)
Proposition 124 (relating to public retirement system).
All polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If you are already signed up to receive an early ballot by mail, you will automatically receive an early mail-in ballot if you are on the Permanent Early Voter List. 
Early voting begins by mail and in person Wednesday, April 20.
Early voting by mail ends May 11 and early voting in person ends May 13.
ID is required at the polling sites on Election Day.
For voters in Mesa there are only four polling places located at churches:
1. Hi-Way Baptist Church 10505 E Brown Road
2. Sun Valley Community Church 3065 S Ellsworth
3. Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church 3257 E University Drive
4. Red Mountain United Methodist Church 2936 N Power Road

Arizona's Publicity Pamphlet is out, issued by Secretary of State Michele Reagan.

If you haven't received it or found a copy here's a link to view and read it >>
http://www.signatureflip.com/az/capital/2016-04-01rEdition.pub/index.html
Complete texts on both propositions are included, as well as pros and cons for Prop 123.
There are no entries opposing Prop 124.
This post will take a quick look at the so-called "funding deal" for Prop 123 that throws this issue to Arizona voters out of different unresolved divided State Legislature party-loyalties about how to fund education in a state with significant failings in the quality and success of educational achievements. Voter approval will change the Arizona State Constitution - that's not a small matter. Prop 123 will remove principal from the State Land Trust at the same time there's litigation ordering the state to fulfill certain obligations to cities where tax increases are no-no's for both the Democrats and Republicans.

Public education is failing here in Arizona - throwing more money into the same system is unlikely to improve results, but then again we are dealing with politics and not digging into some of the policies creating under-achievement, low graduation rates in high schools, community colleges, colleges and universities [all with hiking tuition]
Here is a selection of reports and studies from ASU's Morrison Institute for Public Policy readers are encouraged to take a look at:
Report underscores AZ's education gap,looming economic crisis
Arizona Minority Student Progress Report
RELATED: Failing to address education gaps puts Arizona's economic future at risk
Arizona 'leaves too many behind'
READ: Valdez: How school choice sabotages Latino kids
AZ Students struggle to achieve academic success
READ: Arizona Minority Students Still Struggle With Educational Achievement
Arizona's future workforce languishing
READ: Report: Educational gaps put Arizona's economic future at risk
Social equities in question
Morrison Institute for Public Policy is Arizona's premier think tank for independent and nonpartisan research, analysis and public outreach

Mesa mayor John Giles weighs in on taking sides in this 3-minute YouTube video from October of last year
Arizona Education Funding - State Land Trust Proposal

Supporters share their thoughts on Governor Ducey's State Land Trust education proposal.