Hi friends — Janae here.
It's a quiet one this week — no new Arizona ESA rules to report, no new expense categories, nothing that changes how you're doing recordkeeping right now. I'd rather tell you that plainly than invent urgency where there isn't any. But two things are worth your five minutes.
The ballot fight over Arizona's ESA is done — for this cycle
What changed: Arizona's Supreme Court ruled in August that neither the "Protect Education Act" citizen initiative nor the legislature's HCR 2048 will appear on the November 2026 ballot. The initiative came up roughly 10,000–12,000 signatures short after the state's review, and HCR 2048 was separately struck down for violating the Constitution's Separate Amendment Rule. A Capitol Times piece last week confirms that status hasn't moved since.
What it means for your family: your ESA keeps running under the rules you already know this school year. There's no ballot question tied to the program itself for you to research or vote on in November — though the policy fight hasn't disappeared, it's shifted into the legislative races and the Superintendent of Public Instruction race instead.
One thing to do: if you vote in Arizona, that's where to put your attention this cycle — not a ballot measure, but who's running for Superintendent and for your legislative seats. Those races will shape whatever comes next for ESA policy.
A case at the U.S. Supreme Court could matter to homeschoolers everywhere
What changed: the Court held its first conference today (Sept 28) on a cert petition out of California — a religious-homeschool curriculum funding dispute that's been working through the 9th Circuit. No decision yet on whether the Court will even take the case.
What it means for your family: nothing changes today, in Arizona or anywhere else. But if the Court grants review, it could eventually touch how religious curriculum and funding intersect in school-choice programs nationally — worth knowing about even though it isn't urgent.
One thing to do: nothing required on your end. I'll flag it again if the Court acts.
Quick hits
- Florida just tightened its ESA handbooks (Sept 16) — parent and teacher trainings are no longer an eligible purchase, and there are tighter one-per-category limits. Not an Arizona rule, but a good reminder that handbooks change fast — always check your program's current version before you buy.
- Utah's Fits All ESA remains in legal limbo; the state's Supreme Court appeal hasn't moved this week.
- Louisiana families on GATOR: I couldn't confirm this week whether 2026-27 award notifications have gone out yet — keep checking your portal.
That's it for this week. Keep your receipts, keep your notes, and I'll be back next Monday.
— Janae
*Not legal advice — always confirm against your program's current official handbook.*