Statement from ABOR Chair Lyndel Manson on FY 2023 state budget

“Arizona’s public universities play a vital role in educating students, training our future workforce, driving the economy and delivering solutions to the challenges our state faces. The fiscal 2023 budget, approved by legislators today, will help strengthen these institutions for their critical mission. The Arizona Board of Regents offers its sincere gratitude to Governor Ducey and Arizona Legislators for their diligence in crafting this bipartisan budget for the coming year.

“This spending plan will assist continued efforts by Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona to meet the needs of a growing number of Arizona students. Specifically, an additional investment in the board’s Arizona Promise Program scholarship is a win for low-income Arizona students, and will enable more of these qualifying students to have their tuition and fees paid in full to attend the Arizona public university of their choice. This program represents ABOR’s promise that cost must not be a barrier to any deserving Arizona student.

“Additionally, the board is pleased the Legislature has agreed to provide funding for tuition waivers for the spouses of Arizona veterans. This is one simple way our state can say ‘thank you’ to these spouses, who also sacrifice for the greater good.

“The board looks forward to continuing its work with state leaders to ensure a quality, public university education is within reach of every Arizona student and family.”