The Voice- Student Newspaper

Arizona letting children down

Mary Allan
Reporter, The Voice

Since the raid in Texas on the FLDS church, I have been thinking of the FLDS church children in Arizona. I also have been thinking about the status of all children in Arizona, and how some of the state institutions have let children down.

There are few black marks on the states record to make me feel that the status is not as good as it should be. Arizona has been rated 40th on a list compiled by Child Magazine for the best place to raise healthy kids.

The Arizona State Senate has fought funding for SB1096 the English-Language Learning programs for years. According to the Tucson Citizen some senators complained that state taxpayers shouldn't have to shoulder ELL cost for students who are illegal immigrants or children of illegal immigrants. "The federal government created this problem by not securing the borders," said Sen. Ron Gould, a Lake Havasu City Republican who voted against the bill.

This is a sentiment shared by many Arizonans. There is some credence to this argument however generations of children suffered.

The skinflints in Mesa refuse to vote on a property tax. According to AZCentral.com, "Mesa may need new taxes to pay for essential future police staffing," Police Chief George Gascón told the City Council. Gascón says, "It's socially irresponsible to believe that you can continue to live in a social setting and not pay the price . . . and part of that is public safety."

Some of the other programs that have been affected are art museums, libraries and after school programs. Again the children suffer.

Finally regarding the children of the FLDS church in Arizona. We all know that the state has made some moves against the FLDS church. However have they been too careful? Because, in the meantime many children were moved to Texas where they were being abused. Until Texas stepped in. The authorities have been circling this sect for years. Are the authorities waiting so they can have an airtight case before they go in? Or are they thinking about the bad. The capture of Warren Jeffs has not stopped the abuse. While the attorney general's office treads lightly, the children suffer.