Arizona state Sen. Steven Yarbrough is widely popular among advocates of school choice for his support for and sponsorship of laws that benefit the state's tuition tax credit program.
But a CBS 5 investigation found Yarbrough's own finances are tied to the program and have benefited from the laws he has helped to pass.
"It seems like a conflict of interest to me," said Jenifer Darland, a mother of school-aged children and an advocate for public education.
She said she was shocked when she learned Yarbrough, a Chandler Republican, is the executive director of the state's second-largest tuition tax-credit organization, Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization, or ACSTO.
STOs, as they are known, receive donations from Arizona taxpayers and turn those funds into scholarships for students to attend private school. The donors are reimbursed dollar-for-dollar by the state, up to $1,000 for a married couple.
The STOs are allowed to spend up to 10 percent of the donations they receive on administrative expenses, thanks to laws Yarbrough and others have sponsored. In Yarbrough's case, that has added up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.
"We are paying his mortgage. We are paying his rent," Darland said.
An examination of the most recent tax return for ACSTO shows Yarbrough receives a salary of $96,000 per year. ACSTO also paid for his car. It paid $426,000 to a company called HY processing, which Yarbrough serves as part owner.
The organization also paid $127,000 in leasehold improvements and $50,000 rent to the landlord. Yarbrough owns the building. "I don't think it looks good on Steve and I don't think it looks good on the Legislature," said former Senate Minority Leader David Schapira.
Damn! No wonder Sarah Palin is drawn to Arizona.
It is like a grifter's paradise.
Steven Yarbough, Steven Yarbough, where have I heard that name before?
Oh yeah, that's right.
That's the Republican MO! Romney supports privatization of education and quess what? His son Tag business is exactly the same as this guy. He would have made millions if his father had been elected. PS the newest research shows that even with all it's problems public eduction is still better than private/homeschooling. Between my husband and myself we have 70+ years as teachers!
ReplyDeleteWhat a brazen SOB. I’m glad you’re keeping track of all this.
ReplyDeleteNo ethics laws in AZ?
ReplyDeleteNo free press?
No Federal indictments?
It's like Bush and No Child Left Behind. His buddies in Texas owned the companies that got the related testing contracts for public schools across the country.
ReplyDeletePardon me. My ethical training would not allow this. Does this guy even have a functioning conscience. Perhaps not...
ReplyDeleteTip of the hat to you and your husband. We need more career educators like y'all!
ReplyDeleteTo borrow a phrase .... "I want my country back" This POS bigot is all over the map and funneling money into his own pockets, money that belongs in the Public School System.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Arizona is a grifter's paradise, but I doubt Sarah Palin's kids actually go to school. Unless she's got a similar gig, "What's in it for her?"
Did anyone read adn last thursday - "Governor supports amendment that would offer funding for private schools."?
ReplyDelete