A political clash has emerged between Arizona Schools Superintendent Tom Horne and Attorney General Kris Mayes over who deserves credit for the recent release of federal education funds.
Horne Disputes Mayes’ Lawsuit Narrative
Attorney General Mayes recently claimed that her office’s lawsuit against the federal government led to the long-awaited release of millions in education funding. But Horne insists that’s not the full story.
According to a statement from the Arizona Department of Education, Horne said:
“The federal government never canceled those funds. It delayed paying them in order to do a study to make sure they were being used properly for education purposes.”
He emphasized that the pause was expected and had nothing to do with legal pressure. Horne had previously assured the public that the delay stemmed from a “positive review,” not a defunding attempt.
Not Lawsuit-Driven, Says Horne
Horne also clarified that the funds were released following the study’s completion, not because of any legal action initiated by Mayes.
“The federal government released the funds upon conclusion of the study, as had been foreseen, and not because a court case was filed,” he stated.
Timing Called Into Question
Adding another jab, Horne pointed out the timing of Mayes’ press release, noting that the funds were actually made available on July 25.
“The Attorney General‘s release today is behind the times,” he added.
This back-and-forth highlights ongoing tensions between Arizona’s top officials—even when both are technically celebrating the same win for public education.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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