Tucson’s budget is under pressure, with potential cuts to funding for early childhood education programs. One program, the Pima Early Education Program Scholarship (PEEP), could lose its city funding, but local residents and advocates are urging city leaders to continue supporting it.
On Friday, families and early childhood education supporters attended a City Council meeting to voice their concerns about the fiscal year 2026 budget. Mayor Timothy Thomure proposed cutting the city’s funding for PEEP, which helps low-income families access quality preschool education. The program was initially allocated $1 million when it was launched in 2021, but funding was later reduced to $750,000.
The city of Tucson is facing financial challenges, with expected drops in sales tax and state shared revenues for the upcoming fiscal year. These financial pressures, along with a flat income tax rate, mean difficult decisions for city leaders, including Mayor Regina Romero.
In an interview with AZPM News in April, Romero explained, “The mayor submitted a good budget, but there are definitely some issues with it. We’re really reflecting internally on what to cut and where to get additional funding.”
However, cutting funding for early childhood education could have serious consequences for many families, as seen with Marissa Johnson. Her 3-year-old son attends Tucson Community School, a child-centered preschool that has been serving the area for 75 years. Johnson said her son’s enrollment next year is dependent on continued funding from the city of Tucson.
“I’m here to remind everyone that one of the values our community is built on is a commitment to providing quality care and education for our youngest, most vulnerable children,” Johnson said. “We know that when we cut education funding today, it will have negative consequences tomorrow. Reducing spending for young children and families will increase future general fund costs, including social services and health care.”
Tiffany Bucciarelli-Fay, the director of early childhood education for the Amphitheater Public School District, also spoke at the meeting. She shared that 54 children in her district benefit from PEEP scholarships, and cutting funding would jeopardize their education.
“If the city of Tucson truly wants the 85705 area to thrive and its residents to live healthier, more productive lives, funding early childhood education is a must,” Bucciarelli-Fay said.
Currently, Tucson provides funding for three preschools in the Amphi School District and two preschools in the Sunnyside District. The nearby town of Marana also funds a program through the Marana Unified School District.
Tucson isn’t the only local government grappling with funding challenges. Last year, the town of Oro Valley stopped funding PEEP for new preschool-friendly playgrounds at several Amphi elementary schools. However, Oro Valley may provide future support, according to a county memo.
“While Oro Valley’s funding was fully spent last year, recent discussions and site visits with the mayor and town council members have been ongoing with the goal of the town providing support again in the future,” the memo stated.
Regardless of whether Tucson continues funding PEEP, the Pima County Board of Supervisors decided this week to keep the program running through a library district tax. This ensures that the program will continue to serve local families, even if city funding is reduced or eliminated.
