Arizona legislators vote to audit Education Department's Empowerment Scholarships program

A legislative committee voted on Thursday to audit the Arizona Department of Education amid long-running delays in applications for the state's voucher-like program.

The move happened against a backdrop of sparring between Republican lawmakers and schools superintendent Kathy Hoffman, a Democrat. 

Some on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee suggested it would be more efficient simply to hold a hearing on problems with the Empowerment Scholarship Account program rather than spend at least $125,000 on a special audit.

The auditor general is already set to follow up on a 2016 review of the department in the coming months.That review flagged misspending in the empowerment scholarships program under Hoffman's predecessor, Diane Douglas.

Hoffman, who was elected last year, has been blunt that the initiative requires more funding to field applications and that the Legislature has not provided enough money in past years to keep up with filings. She is requesting funding next fiscal year to hire an additional 20 staff people.

But state Rep. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, told the audit committee Thursday that lawmakers need to be assured how the department is currently spending its funds before approving more money.

In a letter to the committee, she did not raise particular allegations of misfeasance but asked for a special audit examining the caseloads of ESA program staff, revenues and expenses as well as wait times for customer service calls.

Rep. John Allen, R-Scottsdale, argued the Legislature could get much of the same information by convening a hearing.

Auditor General Lindsey Perry said the cost of an audit could range from $125,000 to $175,000. The undertaking would delay a planned audit of the Department of Environmental Quality, she added.

"To spend $125,000 and wait four months makes no sense to me. If it's that urgent, let's get on it," Allen said.

But pointing to the political battle between Hoffman and some Republican legislators, Townsend said some may not trust the department to answer lawmakers' questions about the issue.

"I think it would be so political. Some would say we can't trust the agency," she said.

Hoffman has emerged as a target for Republicans since she took office in January. House Speaker Rusty Bowers recently labeled Hoffman a radical in a speech about sex education.

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Meanwhile, school choice advocates have blasted the superintendent over delays in fulfilling applications for the voucher-like scholarship program although delays preceded her arrival at the department.

State law requires the Department of Education process applications within 45 days. Parents have complained of long wait times or difficulty reaching state officials when calling about their accounts.

Perry said the special audit would have a deadline of April 10.

Contact Andrew Oxford at andrew.oxford@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter at @andrewboxford.