Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute
By Yana Kunichoff | Arizona Republic
In the latest political volley in Arizona over COVID-19 mask mandates, Gov. Doug Ducey is creating two grant programs that would provide funds to families and school districts that reject mask mandates.
Those measures come amid growing pushback against a state law that prohibits mask mandates in Arizona schools.
Related: Biden extends 100% federal reimbursement of states’ COVID-19 costs
In a series of news releases Tuesday, the Governor’s Office announced extra money for families affected by mask mandates, as well as a grant program only school districts that “follow all state laws” would be eligible for.
In both cases, districts with mask mandates could be affected — either because they could be ineligible for the district grants or if families use the funding to leave their district.
At least 14 Arizona school districts have implemented COVID-19 mask mandates since schools opened this year. Ducey has said those mandates are illegal, but a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled Monday that districts currently could require masks because the law does not take effect until Sept. 29.
Earlier this month, a group of Republican lawmakers asked Ducey to take tough action against school districts requiring face coverings in defiance of that law, including by withholding federal funding from school districts with mask mandates, authorizing temporary school vouchers for all students in those districts and initiating legal action against the districts.
However, another Republican lawmaker said expanding the controversial voucher program is something the Legislature would need to do, not the governor on his own.
