Representative Yassamin Ansari is leading the charge to protect millions of dollars in education funding for Arizona schools after the Trump administration fired all staff members responsible for distributing the money.
Ansari joined Representative Greg Stanton, Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly in sending an urgent letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon this week. The lawmakers are demanding that the fired workers be rehired immediately.
The issue centers on Impact Aid, a federal program that provides funding to school districts located near tribal lands, military bases, and other federal property.
These schools receive less property tax revenue because the federal government owns land in their areas, so Impact Aid helps cover the funding gap.
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Arizona receives more Impact Aid than any other state in the country. In fiscal year 2025, the state received over $223 million in support for 59 school districts serving tribal and military communities. For many of these districts, Impact Aid represents nearly half of their annual budgets.
"By supporting federally impacted school districts with the funds necessary to meet their students' needs, Impact Aid fulfills an important and distinctive function," the lawmakers wrote. "In Arizona especially, it is a lifeline for schools serving our tribal and military communities."
The layoffs occurred during the current government shutdown, when all staff members in the Impact Aid Program Office were let go. This office processes payments and provides technical assistance to participating school districts.
"Without staff, it is unclear how the office will continue to operate, and without the office, it is unclear how federally impacted schools in Arizona and elsewhere will receive the payments and technical assistance they need," the letter stated.
The lawmakers expressed concern about potential disruptions to school funding and explained that the program has already faced challenges due to years of underfunding. They are calling for immediate action to restore office operations.
