AZ's Anti-Mask School Programs May Put Federal Funding At Risk

PHOENIZ, AZ — Federal funding to Arizona could be in jeopardy due to the state's two anti-mask school programs.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Adewale Adeyemo sent a letter Tuesday to Gov. Doug Ducey accusing Arizona of misusing federal relief funds meant to combat the coronavirus.

The American Rescue Plan provides $350 billion in emergency funding for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency and bring back jobs. Arizona was awarded $4.2 billion from the fund. However, there's a catch.

The funds can't be used to impose conditions “that would undermine efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 or discourage compliance with evidence-based solutions for stopping the spread of COVID-19," Adeyemo wrote in a letter to the governor.

On Aug. 17, the governor announced that district and charter schools following all state laws and remaining open for in-person instruction will be eligible for $163 million in grant funding aimed at boosting per pupil spending.

Copy of letter sent to Gov. Ducey obtained by Patch:

“Parents have worked tirelessly over the past year and a half to keep their kids on track," said Ducey said in a news release at the time. "Parents are in the driver’s seat, and it’s their right to make decisions that best fit the needs of their children. Safety recommendations are welcomed and encouraged — mandates that place more stress on students and families aren’t.

The same day, the governor also made available a $10 million grant to low-income families at or below 350 percent of the federal poverty level. Dollars families receive from the program can be used for education-related expenses, including: transportation to school; online tutoring; child care; and tuition.

Arizona’s Republican-controlled legislature banned school masks earlier this year. During the summer, Ducey also issued an executive order strengthening enforcement against vaccine mandates and ensuring those employed by a local government can use earned sick leave due to COVID-19 exposure.

The state has 30 business days to respond to Adeyemo's letter with information about how it will "remediate the issues identified with the two programs."

Meanwhile, C.J. Karamargin, a spokesperson for Ducey's office, told NPR that it is puzzling that the state's grant program is coming under fire; however, the governor's office does plan to respond to the letter.