Yvonne Wingett Sanchez

The Republic | azcentral.com

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton is endorsing Prop. 123, the $3.5 billion education-funding package that Arizonans will vote on in a special May election.

Saying the plan isn't perfect, the two-term Democrat mayor said he will still support most any plan to boost school funding.

If passed, the state would dig deeper into land trust proceeds to fund K-12 education and resolve a five-year lawsuit over the state's failure to properly fund schools during the recession.

"Prop. 123 is a step in the right direction and is therefore worthy of my support," Stanton told The Arizona Republic, adding, "I often get asked if I were in charge, would this be my plan. The answer is no. I'd be much more aggressive in supporting additional resources. We can't compete economically if our plan is just to do 123 and ... remain 48th in education finance. That's not acceptable to me, that's not acceptable to the people of Arizona."

But, Stanton said, the lawsuit must be resolved.

Stanton has cut videos for the campaign, announcing his support and will speak at an event Tuesday to elaborate on his decision. He told The Republic prior to the event that he planned on making fundraising calls and public appearances to pitch the plan.

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His support comes as the campaign works to broaden Prop. 123's appeal beyond Republicans and education groups, which helped craft the measure. The campaign is trying to reach parents and other key demographics that generally are not high-efficacy voters in special elections, said campaign manager J.P. Twist.

Gov. Doug Ducey welcomed Stanton's support. "The Mayor’s participation demonstrates how Prop. 123 unites Arizonans in support of public education, and I look forward to working with him and the voters of Arizona to ensure we pass this proposition," the governor wrote in a statement to The Republic.

Stanton said if the initiative is passed he'll celebrate. But public officials and business leaders should "roll up our sleeves to get right back to work on a much bigger, longer-term plan to improve resources for our students and our schools."

For example, Stanton said, leaders should "begin the process of reauthorizing and hopefully increasing Prop. 301," the sales tax that benefits schools, universities and community colleges.

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Follow the reporter on Twitter at @yvonnewingett and reach her at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4712.