Gillette, Petersen Defend School Choice ESA Program

Arizona Republicans are weighing multiple strategies to protect the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program as negotiations continue over a potential agreement involving ballot measures backed by teachers’ unions and public education advocates. House Republicans, including Rep. John Gillette, have defended ongoing negotiations while emphasizing that no final agreement has been reached.

“Republican leadership has used every available strategy to protect Arizona’s ESA program and keep school choice safe,” Gillette told The Arizona Globe. “That includes competing ballot efforts, paid signature operations, and direct pressure that forced the unions to come to the table.”

According to Gillette, Republican lawmakers remain united on the core objective of preserving Arizona’s school choice system while debating the best path forward.

“The mission has not changed: protect parents, protect kids, protect school choice,” Gillette said.

Negotiations intensified after education groups and their allies advanced ballot measures that could alter the ESA program. Republicans have argued that those efforts threaten universal school choice, while supporters of the measures maintain they aim to provide additional oversight and accountability.

Gillette said Republican lawmakers support measures such as background checks, proper program administration, restrictions on inappropriate spending, and taxpayer protections. He argued the disagreement centers on how accountability should be implemented without limiting parental choice.

As discussions continue, two distinct approaches have emerged within Republican circles. One proposal has been associated with Republican legislative leadership and House members who are exploring whether a negotiated settlement could reduce legal and political uncertainty surrounding the ESA program. Supporters of this approach argue that avoiding a lengthy court battle, signature challenge, or ballot fight could provide greater certainty for families currently using ESAs.

“Every serious option to save the ESA program is being discussed,” Gillette said. “As of now, there is not a final consensus among members. Leadership respects the process, respects the members, and respects the majority of the majority and the people.”

A second proposal has been promoted by the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and Congressman Andy Biggs. According to the Free Enterprise Club, the alternative proposal would require education groups to withdraw their ESA-related ballot initiative while Republicans would withdraw only a single ballot referral. The “Biggs Deal” would add no new regulations to the ESA program. The Free Enterprise Club described its proposal as a “clean one-for-one trade” and has urged lawmakers to adopt what it calls the “Biggs Deal.”

Senate President Warren Petersen confirmed to the Globe that he supports the Biggs proposal.

At this stage, Republican lawmakers have not reached a final agreement on either approach. Discussions are ongoing, and legislative leaders have indicated that protecting Arizona’s ESA program remains the central objective. The outcome could determine whether the dispute is resolved through legislation, ballot measures, litigation, or a combination of all three.

This is a developing story.