Destroying public education

In their 40-year quest to destroy public education in Arizona, the Republican-dominated Legislature is about to smack into a milestone. The state’s teachers voted to go on strike Thursday if their demand of a 20 percent pay raise is not met. The governor wants to accommodate the teachers, but the odds are the Republicans will view the ultimatum as an opportunity to do nothing, stand back and watch the death throes of public schools as  teachers flee the state.

From a tax policy that permits direct credits for donations to private and parochial schools to the $1.45 billion the state gives to charter schools with no accountability or oversight, the Republicans of the Arizona Legislature covet, even yearnfor, the complete annihilation of public schools.

Bet the ranch the Republican majority will do nothing. It is an outrage, but one Arizona voters have been content with for nearly a half century.