A ballot measure looking to restrict Arizona's teachers' unions was shot down by a Maricopa County judge.
Judge Gregory Como ruled that House Concurrent Resolution 2040, which would have barred school districts from allowing any public funds to support teachers' unions, was unconstitutional. Como said the measure would have prohibited the state and all local government groups from contracting with any labor union, and therefore, was overly broad in its proposed changes.
Como ruled that the measure be removed from the November ballot, siding in favor with the state's largest teachers' union, the Arizona Education Association, and several other labor organizations that joined the lawsuit.
One of the measure's key backers, Republican Rep. Matt Gress,
responded by showing support for police officer and firefighter unions, but did not mention teachers' unions.
"While many legal experts agreed that HCR2040 didn't apply to police or fire organizations, today's Superior Court ruling striking down the measure as unconstitutional removes the uncertainty that threatened Arizona's police officers and firefighters."
Helen Rummel covers state politics and higher education for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at hrummel@azcentral.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @helenrummel.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Judge strikes teacher union restriction measure from Arizona ballot
