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Spring is a busy season filled with iconic Arizona community events. Julie celebrated the work of <a href="https://hov.org/events/aaha-art-food-wine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hospice of the Valley at the Aaha! Art. Food. Wine</a> benefit, the <a href="https://www.azhumane.org/blog/thank-you-for-another-tee-rific-home-in-one-golf-tournament/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Arizona Humane Society's Home in One Golf Tournament, </a><a href="https://www.azhumane.org/blog/thank-you-for-another-tee-rific-home-in-one-golf-tournament/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">and </a><a href="https://fightercountry.org/golf/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-secondary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-secondary);">Fighter Country Foundation 17th Annual Golf Classic supporting Luke AFB</a>

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<h2>Introduce yourself and why you’re running!</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/622eea51-6a35-4345-b944-2c57a8979b60/f9a65e92-85a3-4e61-9a4e-210a8fcb35da/f9a65e92-85a3-4e61-9a4e-210a8fcb35da.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=60%2C104%2C964%2C888&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="right" variant="framed"><h3>We’ve started you off with a couple of content blocks to show you what this page could look like, but feel free to delete, rearrange, and add more via the “page content” tab in the top left of the navigation bar.</h3><h4>And don't forget to add images!</h4>Photos inside the text blocks, like the one here, can be placed anywhere inside this type of text area by simply clicking the image icon on the toolbar. Once you've added the image, click on it to get additional options for styling and size.

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<h2>PROVEN | PRINCIPLED | PRAGMATIC</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/9da5f959-936c-4acb-9f6d-bad373168433/2f51c7d7-4bc2-4c17-9b3f-d62d6429711c/9f041f83-3c44-4393-8414-8c34aaf7fc8b.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2698%2C4096&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="25" variant="framed">I am a proud Arizona State University alum and a business leader who has spent my career solving tough problems. I've led complex system projects at Accenture and owned and operated local technology consulting firms. I've also served as CEO of a behavioral healthcare company.I have been recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as an Outstanding Woman in Business, and by AZBig Media as one of Arizona's Most Influential Women. I bring a pragmatic, principled approach to service and leadership.<h5>background</h5><img src="https://run.imgix.net/9da5f959-936c-4acb-9f6d-bad373168433/3fd0f3d1-dd33-47f6-80b7-2071bd5f2a8a/3fd0f3d1-dd33-47f6-80b7-2071bd5f2a8a.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C576%2C891&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="25" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">I was born and raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico, the daughter of a physicist and a librarian. My father grew up during the Great Depression and enlisted in the Army shortly before WWII began.&nbsp; He was captured by the Japanese in the Philippines, survived the Bataan Death March, and spent almost 4 years in Japanese Labor camps as a POW.&nbsp; My father returned home from these formative experiences determined to build a life of purpose and opportunity. As a poor young man from Pittsburgh, higher education would have been out of reach without the GI Bill. The opportunity provided by that essential program changed the course of his life. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in physics and went on to become a physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. My dad taught me that education can transform lives, that perseverance can overcome extraordinary obstacles, and that true leadership is rooted in humility. Despite everything he endured and accomplished, he never sought recognition. He believed in doing the work and leaving things better than he found them. Those are values I strive to live by every day.<h5>community focused</h5>My husband Dieter and I have lived in this district for 25 years. Our two daughters grew up in Scottsdale and graduated from Desert Mountain High School. Our older daughter is working in Washington, D.C., and will begin law school in the fall. Our younger daughter is pursuing her undergraduate degree on a full-ride AFROTC scholarship. We are passionate about serving our community and have served on several local non-profit boards throughout the years. I currently serve on the boards of AZ Humane Society and the Phoenix Zoo (ACNC) and am also a member of the Million Meals Club at St. Mary’s Food Bank.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/9da5f959-936c-4acb-9f6d-bad373168433/c419dbaa-58a1-48bf-acf8-9c6b767cc815/c419dbaa-58a1-48bf-acf8-9c6b767cc815.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1000%2C1333&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="32.5" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/9da5f959-936c-4acb-9f6d-bad373168433/2ffe9aad-1d7b-407e-a1f7-ff04ca892043/2ffe9aad-1d7b-407e-a1f7-ff04ca892043.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1344%2C1291&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="37.5" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">

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Four Priorities for Arizona's Future

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Julie Gable values learning from Arizonans. People in our communities are key to understanding the urgent, complex issues facing our state, such as water security. In April, Julie met with the <a href="https://www.malpai.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Malpai Borderlands Group of Southern Arizona</a> to understand how drought is impacting their livelihoods and our agricultural industry.

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<h3>Standing up for Arizona communities.</h3>Julie Gable believes the job of government is to make life better for the people it serves.

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Business + tech leader Julie Gable, candidate for Arizona State House LD3, champions affordable healthcare, responsible AI, stronger education, and water security.

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<h4>WHY THIS IS PERSONAL</h4>“I started my career as a coder. I’ve run technology companies, led large-scale systems implementations for Fortune 100 companies, and experienced this industry up close for decades. I believe AI can do great things for Arizona, our country, and our world. I’m also clear-eyed about what can happen if we get the policy wrong. Arizona needs a representative in the State House who understands the technology ecosystem including software development, infrastructure, and technology workforce drivers, not someone who’s playing catch-up to understand the complex systems that impact our communities and economy.”<h5>Put Arizonans before Algorithms with responsible regulation.</h5>As Arizona continues to attract businesses from across the country and around the world, creating&nbsp;clear, predictable rules is good for business and for Arizona. Those policies include:<ol><li>Demand human oversight of AI in government. When it comes to decisions that affect Arizonans’ lives, like benefits eligibility, law enforcement, and education, there must be transparency and human accountability. This is even more true as state agencies and government contractors implement AI solutions in their processes. We can't allow artificial intelligence to go unchecked in decision-making that affects people’s rights.</li><li>Champion strong Arizona data privacy protections. Your data is your property. Companies must get your consent before collecting, using, or selling it. Julie approaches data privacy as a property rights issue, and believes Arizona shouldn’t wait for Washington to act.</li><li>Protect children from harmful technologies . When a platform knowingly pushes harmful content to minors, exploits their engagement for profit, and undermines children's well-being, there must be real consequences and regulations that prevent future harm. Julie believes in requiring algorithm transparency from platforms and a mandate for real parental controls, not confusing checkbox settings where the platform always wins, tools that give parents real choice and authority over what their children see.</li></ol><h5>data centers must pay their share</h5>Big Tech companies are rapidly expanding data center development in Arizona, increasing demands on our water and energy resources. While these projects create construction jobs, they often provide relatively few permanent positions once completed. Arizona residents should not be asked to subsidize the infrastructure, energy costs, or water use required to support private development. We need clear standards that protect our water security, keep costs off ratepayers, and ensure these projects create lasting economic value for Arizona communities.<h5>Prepare Arizona's workforce for the AI Economy</h5>The technology revolution has accelerated the pace of change in every aspect of our lives. AI is increasing the rate of change, and the impact can already be felt -- job displacement is real and already underway. Arizona needs economic transition strategies supported by workforce retraining programs now, not after AI disruption affects working families.<h5>Attract responsible tech investment to Arizona</h5>We've been dubbed the Silicon Desert. Arizona should be the state where technology companies choose to locate because we have a skilled workforce, smart infrastructure, and a government that understands the industry.<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h4>How does Julie's technology background shape her policy positions?</h4>Julie started her career as a software developer, gained technical and business leadership experience as a consultant at Accenture, and co-owned and sold a technology consulting firm. She has led large-scale systems implementations for Fortune 100 companies. She understands how algorithms, data systems, and AI models actually work. She's well-versed in IT infrastructure and its components. Julie brings all that knowledge directly to her positions on data centers, data privacy, AI oversight, and workforce policy.<h4>How many data centers does Arizona have?</h4>At the start of 2026, Arizona had 98 operational data centers, <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/04/28/arizona-data-center-hotspot-pew-research-center" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">putting it in the top ten states nationally</a>. Arizona's data center footprint will nearly double in the coming years, with another 86 already under construction or planned for development.<h4>How much electricity do data centers use and what does it mean for Arizona's grid?</h4>Data centers are pushing Arizona's power grid to its limits. Arizona's electric power demands grew at four times the national average in 2025, largely driven by data center expansion. In fact, Arizona Public Service (APS) had to turn away some developers to protect grid reliability. And, in order to keep up with continued demand, APS has extended the life of the Four Corners coal-powered plant to 2038, and intends to open a 2,000 MW natural gas-powered plant.The planned data centers are expected to require an additional 10,600 MW of power supplied by Arizona's utility providers, which represents an increase of nearly five times the current data center demand on the grid.<h4>How much water do data centers use and what does it mean for Arizona's water security?</h4>In 2025, data centers in the Phoenix Metro Area alone consumed roughly 905 million gallons of water. Projections estimate that when current planned data centers are fully operative water consumption will increase to 3.7 billion gallons annually.At the same time, as data center water demands are expected to increase four-fold, Arizona's Colorado River Allocation Program (CAP) for Tier 1 shortage reduces our state's draw by approximately 167 billion gallons per year.<h4>What are Julie's priorities for technology and AI?</h4>Julie Gable, candidate for Arizona State House in Legislative District 3, has three core technology and AI priorities:<ol><li>Put Arizonans before algorithms with responsible regulation. Julie's approach would require human oversight of AI in government, passing strong data privacy protections, and setting standards for data center development, water usage, and long-term job creation.</li><li>Protect children from harmful technologies. Julie believes in requiring algorithmic transparency from platforms and mandating tools that give parents real choice and authority over what their children see.</li><li>Prepare Arizona's workforce for the AI economy. Create a multi-prong economic transition strategy supported by workforce retraining programs that create opportunities for Arizonans and the businesses that rely on skilled workers.</li><li>Attract responsible tech investment to Arizona. Creating&nbsp;clear, predictable rules is good for business and for Arizona as we continue to bring world-class companies to our state.</li></ol><h4></h4>

AI is transforming Arizona's economy — and the window to act is now. Julie Gable is running for LD3 to prepare workers, protect data, and hold big tech accountable.

Arizona AI Policy, Data Privacy & Tech Workforce | Julie Gable LD3

Julie has spent much of her career working in technology, leading technology companies, building systems and watching this industry change nearly every aspect of our lives. She believes in the extraordinary potential of technology but also knows that technology without guardrails is not innovation. It's recklessness.

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<h4>Why This is Personal</h4>“I didn’t come to this issue from a briefing paper. I ran a behavioral healthcare organization serving Arizonans in addiction recovery, most of them on Medicaid. I’ve seen how poorly designed healthcare policy affects patients, providers, and businesses. Lagging Medicaid reimbursement rates combined with cuts to Medicaid mean healthcare providers struggle and patients lose access to care.I have the experience to be part of solutions that improve the well-being of Arizonans.”<h5>Protect AHCCCS from cuts</h5>More than two million Arizonans depend on Arizona's Medicaid program, AHCCCS. Cutting healthcare coverage for some of our most vulnerable populations doesn’t reduce costs. It shifts them to emergency rooms and raises premiums for everyone with private or commercial insurance. Cuts to this program inevitably lead to increases in your healthcare and insurance costs.<h5>ensure behavioral health Provider sustainability</h5>Behavioral health care providers are struggling in Arizona today. Medicaid reimbursement rates must keep pace with the real cost of delivering care. Administrative requirements should be streamlined to improve efficiency without compromising the oversight necessary to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. Untreated mental illness devastates families, reduces workforce productivity, and burdens every other system we fund. Julie will fight to protect and expand Arizona's behavioral health infrastructure because it is the fiscally responsible thing to do, not just the compassionate one.<h5>Protect rural hospitals</h5>Arizona’s rural hospitals run on thin margins. When one closes, entire communities can find themselves hours from emergency care, compromising healthcare outcomes. The Arizona State House must use every tool available to keep these rural hospitals open, because it’s truly a life-or-death situation.<h5>Expand preventive and primary care</h5>Preventive care costs far less than emergency care. Shifting Arizona's healthcare expenditure to expanded primary care access, mental health services, and preventive programs is a strategy to increase well-being for all Arizonans and reduce more expensive emergency healthcare costs.<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h4>Are behavioral healthcare providers struggling to provide care in Arizona?</h4>According to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), over 200 Arizona communities are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas, meaning they do not have enough healthcare providers to meet current demand; additionally, over 90 of these communities lack sufficient mental health professionals. HRSA's shortage-area data identify significant gaps in health access across both urban and rural parts of the state. Behavioral health providers report ongoing challenges recruiting and retaining qualified clinicians, particularly in rural areas, while increasing operating costs and workforce shortages continue to affect service capacity.Sources: [1] <a href="https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas">HRSA Data Warehouse</a>; [2] <a href="https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas">HRSA Health Professional Shortage Area Locator</a>. <h4>What would Medicaid cuts mean for Arizona patients and families?</h4>Research published in the peer-reviewed journal Health Affairs found that hospitals in states that expanded Medicaid experienced substantial reductions in uncompensated care costs, while hospitals in non-expansion states saw little change. The study estimated that uncompensated care costs fell from 4.1% to 3.1% of operating costs at hospitals in Medicaid expansion states. Researchers concluded that broader insurance coverage reduced the amount of care hospitals provided without payment. As a result, cutting Medicaid coverage could increase uncompensated care burdens for hospitals and healthcare providers, particularly those serving large numbers of low-income patients. Therefore, cuts to Arizona’s Medicaid program, AHCCCS, may shift costs to hospitals in the form of uncompensated care burdens.Sources: [1] <a href="https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/academics-research/research/detail/2016/uncompensated-care-decreased-at-hospitals-in-medicaid-expansion-states/">Dranove, Garthwaite, and Ody, Health Affairs (2016), Uncompensated Care Decreased At Hospitals In Medicaid Expansion States But Not At Hospitals In Nonexpansion States</a>. <h4>What is Julie Gable’s position on AHCCCS and Medicaid cuts?</h4>According to a data report prepared for AHCCCS by Health Management Associates, nearly 2 million Arizonans receive health coverage through AHCCCS, including more than 700,000 children. Julie Gable opposes reductions to AHCCCS funding and eligibility. Her position is based in part on research which shows that Medicaid coverage reduces uncompensated care costs for healthcare providers, as well as an Arizona Chamber Foundation report which found that for every $1 billion cut in Medicaid spending, Arizona may lose more than 36,000 jobs across multiple sectors, and $3.7 billion in total economic activity.&nbsp;Sources: [1] <a href="https://www.azahcccs.gov/AHCCCS/Downloads/AHCCCSDatatoInform.pdf">Health Management Associates, AHCCCS Data to Inform Potential Federal Medicaid Changes</a>; [2] <a href="https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/academics-research/research/detail/2016/uncompensated-care-decreased-at-hospitals-in-medicaid-expansion-states/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Dranove et al., Health Affairs (2016)</a>; [3] <a href="https://azchamberfoundation.org/new-economic-analysis-warns-of-significant-job-losses-higher-health-care-costs-if-federal-medicaid-cuts-move-forward/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Arizona Chamber Foundation, New Economic Analysis Warns of Significant Job Losses, Higher Health Care Costs if Federal Medicaid Cuts Move Forward</a>. <h4>Why are rural hospitals closing across Arizona?</h4>Rural hospitals nationwide face significant financial pressures as they serve smaller populations with many of the same fixed costs as urban hospitals. According to a study by The Commonwealth Fund, since 2005, nearly 200 rural hospitals across the United States have completely or partially closed, and more than 400 additional rural hospitals — over 20% of all rural hospitals — are considered at risk of closure.The University of Arizona found in 2025 that, amid proposed Medicaid funding reductions, at least five rural Arizona hospitals were at risk of closure. The surrounding cities totaled more than 50,000 people. Reductions in Medicaid funding could increase financial pressures on rural hospitals and increase the risk of additional closures.Sources: [1] <a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/explainer/2026/feb/why-rural-hospitals-face-funding-crisis-how-it-could-get-worse" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-secondary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-secondary);">The Commonwealth Fund, Why Rural Hospitals Are Facing a Funding Crisis — and How It Could Get Worse</a>; [2] <a href="https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2022-09-08-aha-report-rural-hospital-closures-threaten-patient-access-care" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">American Hospital Association, Rural Hospital Closures Threaten Patient Access to Care</a>; [3] <a href="https://crh.arizona.edu/news/reverse-robin-hood-medicaid-cuts-threaten-rural-arizona-hospitals-fund-top-1-tax-breaks" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-secondary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-secondary);">University of Arizona, Reverse Robin Hood: Medicaid Cuts Threaten Rural Arizona Hospitals To Fund Top 1% Tax Breaks</a>.

A healthcare CEO, tech executive, and 25-year Arizona resident running for State House on responsible AI policy, healthcare, education, and water security.

AI Policy, Healthcare, Education & Water | Julie Gable AZ LD3

Julie has seen firsthand how our system often fails patients and providers. She believes Arizona’s overall well-being depends on expanding access to health care and is committed to pursuing pragmatic, strategic solutions that deliver better patient outcomes, reduce provider burden, and prevent fraud, waste and abuse.

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Healthcare Access + Behavioral Health

<h4>WHY THIS IS PERSONAL</h4>“My husband and I raised our daughters in our district's neighborhood schools. One earned a full-ride Air Force ROTC scholarship. The other starts law school this fall. I can trace the impact of investing in education back a generation. After WWII, the GI Bill gave my dad, a poor kid from Pittsburgh, an opportunity to go to college and become a physicist. Public investment in education changes trajectories across generations."<h5>fund public schools</h5>Every child in our community deserves a great school close to home. Julie will fight to fully fund our public schools so that they can deliver the educational experiences, services, and programs that more than 70% of Arizona's children rely on.<h5>Recruit, pay, and retain great teachers</h5>You can’t run a great school without great teachers. Arizona has one of the highest teacher vacancy rates in the country. Julie believes our teachers deserve respect, competitive compensation, benefits, and learning environments that are great for educators and their students.<h5>Prepare students for an AI-driven economy</h5>AI and technology are transforming every industry. Arizona’s educators need resources, curriculum, and partnerships with industry leaders to prepare students for careers that don’t exist yet. <h5>Increased accountability for ESA Voucher Program</h5>Strengthening public schools and supporting school choice are not opposing goals. Julie supports school choice that is transparent, accountable, and tied to measurable outcomes. The rapid, unchecked expansion of ESA vouchers diverted hundreds of millions of dollars from public schools, with little transparency and no clear evidence of improved outcomes. By establishing reasonable guardrails, including income-based eligibility, performance standards, and financial transparency, Arizona can support both educational choice and strong public schools.&nbsp;<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h4>How does Arizona rank nationally for public education?</h4>Arizona ranks last or near last in most national education assessments.<a href="https://www.consumeraffairs.com/movers/best-states-for-public-education.html"> Consumer Affairs' "Best States for Public Education" report</a> ranked Arizona:<ul><li>Last for public school funding</li><li>49th for student performance</li><li>47th for school safety</li></ul><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/e/states-with-the-best-schools/5335">WalletHub's 2025 education rankings</a> placed Arizona's public education system 48th among U.S. states.<h4>How does Arizona fund its public schools compared to other states?</h4>Arizona is among the lowest-funded states in the nation. According to the<a href="https://edlawcenter.org/research/making-the-grade-2024/"> Education Law Center's 2024 "Making the Grade" report</a>, Arizona ranks last in education funding effort, spending just 2.05% of its GDP on K-12 education, compared to 5.5% in the highest-effort state, Vermont. Arizona's statewide<a href="https://www.azauditor.gov/arizona-school-district-spending-fiscal-year-2024-analysis-and-data-file"> school district spending reached $13.1 billion in FY 2024</a>, with an average teacher salary of $65,113. This compensation figure represents a 34.6% increase over 2017 levels.<h4>How severe is Arizona's teacher shortage?</h4>Arizona's teacher shortage goes back nearly a decade. According to the<a href="https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2025/11/AZ_Teacher_Shortage_Impact_Fall_2025_Report_September_2025_Data.pdf"> Arizona Department of Education's Fall 2025 Teacher Shortage Impact Report</a>, schools planned to staff 57,567 teachers for the 2025-26 school year, but as of September 2025, 4,242 positions (7%) needed to be filled through alternative methods, including long-term substitutes, contracted personnel, classified staff, and student teachers.More than 1,000 educators quit the teaching profession as of July 2025, and schools were still actively recruiting to fill 1,387 positions at the time of the report's publication. Separately,<a href="https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2025/11/AZ_Teacher_Shortage_Report_Fall_2024_ERR-Updated_Nov_2025.pdf"> ADE's first formal teacher retention study</a> found that 14.4% of educators (over 8,600 teachers) left the classroom after the 2024-25 school year, citing burnout, lack of respect, and student behavior issues as the top reasons for leaving.<h4>How large are Arizona's public school classrooms?</h4>Arizona has the<a href="https://azmirror.com/2025/09/22/arizona-public-schools-remain-ranked-last-in-the-us-as-voucher-spending-hits-1-billion/"> highest student-to-teacher ratio in the country at 23 students per teacher</a>, contributing to its low ranking in public education studies tracking the data point in their assessments. Arizona's class sizes are nearly double that of top-performing states like New York, which averages 12 students per teacher.How are Arizona students performing academically?According to a<a href="https://educationrecoveryscorecard.org/states/arizona/"> 2025 Harvard/Stanford Education Recovery Scorecard</a>, Arizona ranked 41st among states in math achievement change and 35th in reading between 2019 and 2024, with average student achievement still roughly 60% of a grade level below pre-pandemic levels in both subjects.<h4>How many students and teachers are in Arizona's public schools?</h4><a href="https://azreportcards.azed.gov/state-reports">Arizona's public K-12 system</a> comprises 236 school districts and 420 charter school districts. Arizona public schools are staffed with roughly 60,000 classroom teachers. These schools educate more than 1.1 million students, with approximately 900,000 students in district schools and 270,000 in charter schools.<h4>How large is Arizona's charter school sector?</h4>In 2024,<a href="https://azcharters.org/resources/research/"> Arizona's charter schools</a> served 231,703 students across approximately 580 schools statewide, representing 21% of public school enrollment and 25% of the state's public elementary schools. Charter schools are public schools, open to all students at no cost, with independent governance rather than by elected school boards.<h4>How do Arizona charter schools compare to district public schools academically?</h4>Research from<a href="https://ncss3.stanford.edu/"> Stanford University's CREDO Project</a> documents that performance varies significantly by school, with about half of charter schools posting results similar to those of their district peers. A portion of Arizona charter schools do deliver higher academic growth than local district schools: 35% of the time in reading and 38% of the time in math.<h4>What is Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, and how large has it grown?</h4>Arizona's ESA program provides state-funded accounts families can use to pay for private school tuition, homeschooling, tutoring, and other approved educational expenses. ESA spending grew from $2.2 million in 2011-12 to $886 million in 2024-25. Today, roughly 7% of Arizona's K-12 students use ESA vouchers.<a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3431-2.html"> The Common Sense Institute</a> projects total ESA spending will reach approximately $1.06 billion annually as enrollment stabilizes.<h4>Who uses Arizona's ESA voucher program, and is academic performance tracked?</h4><a href="https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/1-billion-in-voucher-spending-raises-new-budget-pressures-for-arizona-schools,644801">Most ESA users were already enrolled in private school or homeschool</a> before receiving vouchers — 71% of universal ESA students as of 2025 — and participants are disproportionately from wealthier, higher-achieving, and whiter school districts. Researchers at Education Week, Brookings, and the Fordham Institute note that Arizona does not collect standardized academic performance data for ESA-funded students, limiting the state's ability to evaluate educational outcomes associated with the program.<h4>How do Arizona public, charter, and private schools report academic performance?</h4>Arizona's district public schools have the most comprehensive reporting. All students in grades three through eight, and grade ten, take annual state assessments (AzMERIT and AzSCI). Results are delivered as A-F letter grades with subgroup breakdowns. Academic year results are published by school at<a href="http://azreportcards.azed.gov"> azreportcards.azed.gov</a>. Charter schools are defined as public schools and follow the same testing and reporting requirements as district schools, making their results directly comparable on the same ADE report cards. Private schools have no state testing or reporting requirements. The Diocese of Phoenix voluntarily publishes annual Iowa Assessment results for all diocesan elementary students at<a href="http://catholicschoolsphx.org"> catholicschoolsphx.org</a>. The Iowa Assessment is a norm-referenced test, reflecting how students perform against a nationally representative sample of their peers.<h4>What are Julie Gable's priorities for education?</h4>Julie Gable, candidate for Arizona State House in Legislative District 3, has four core education priorities:<ol><li>Fully and fairly funding neighborhood schools. Every child deserves a great school close to home, and Julie will fight for full, equitable funding so public schools can deliver the programs and services families depend on.</li><li>Recruiting, paying, and retaining great teachers. With Arizona among the highest in the country for teacher vacancies, Julie wants to make teaching a sustainable career through better compensation, benefits, and working environments.</li><li>Preparing students for an AI-driven economy. Julie supports equipping public schools with the resources and curriculum to prepare students for technology-driven careers, which she sees as essential for both students and Arizona's broader economy.</li><li>Requiring accountability for public education dollars. Julie believes any dollar leaving the public school system should come with full transparency around its purpose and outcomes.</li></ol>

Julie's daughters went to school right here in our community and flourished. She believes great education should not be a privilege reserved for some families. Every child in this state deserves a great school close to home, excellent teachers, and meaningful investment in their future.

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<h4>WHY THIS IS PERSONAL</h4>“I’ve lived in this district for nearly 25 years. Water security isn’t an abstract policy issue for me. It’s about the future of the community where I raised my family and plan to grow old. Arizona’s water challenges are serious. They’re also solvable, if we have the political will and the practical knowledge to act.”<h5>Invest in water innovation and supply</h5>There is no single solution to ensure Arizona's long-term water security. Investing in a variety of solutions, such as reclaimed water, aquifer recharge, desalination partnerships, and water recycling, is part of a multi-pronged approach to support future growth in our state. Julie's committed to making our state a leader others can learn from.<h5>Fight for Arizona’s share of the Colorado River</h5>The post-2026 Colorado River guidelines will shape Arizona’s water future. Arizona must be at the table with a strong, unified position that protects communities, industries, and our diverse natural resources.<h5>Strengthen groundwater protections</h5>The 1980 Groundwater Management Act protected Arizona cities, but there is a significant gap in protections for rural Arizona. Julie believes in locally-driven solutions that empower communities to protect their own water without one-size-fits-all mandates.<h5>Keep out-of-state corporations out of Arizona’s aquifers</h5>Local water belongs to local communities. Foreign and out-of-state corporations shouldn't pump Arizona’s finite groundwater to grow crops shipped overseas while Arizona families watch their wells run dry.<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h4>How much of Arizona’s water comes from the Colorado River?</h4>According to the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Arizona uses approximately 7 million acre-feet of water annually, of which about 2.8 million acre-feet comes from the Colorado River. Multiple analyses estimate that the Colorado River supplies between 36% and 40% of Arizona's total water use, making it a critical source of water for cities, agriculture, industry, and tribal communities across the state. Water levels in the Colorado River system have declined significantly over the past two decades, prompting ongoing negotiations among the seven basin states regarding future water allocations.Sources: [1] <a href="https://www.arizonawaterfacts.com/water-your-facts">Arizona Department of Water Resources, Water Your Facts</a>; [2] <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/15/climate/colorado-river-drought-states.html">The New York Times, Tensions Are Rising Among States That Rely on the Colorado River</a>. <h4>How much water do data centers use in Arizona?</h4>According to a 2025 Ceres report, data-center water consumption in Arizona is projected to increase substantially as new facilities are developed. The report estimates annual water use could rise from approximately 2.9 billion gallons in 2025 to more than 14.5 billion gallons in future years. Ceres notes that many data centers are being built in fast-growing regions that already face long-term water-management challenges.Sources: [1] <a href="https://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/drained-by-data-the-cumulative-impact-of-data-centers-on-regional-water-stress">Ceres, Drained by Data: The Cumulative Impact of Data Centers on Regional Water Stress</a> <h4>What is groundwater and why is it important in Arizona?</h4>Data collected by the Arizona Department of Water Resources indicates that groundwater stored in underground aquifers supplies roughly 41% of Arizona’s water, making it one of the state’s most important natural resources. Aquifers can take thousands of years to recharge naturally. Water experts note that groundwater can be pumped much faster than it is replenished, and prolonged overdraft can lower water tables, increase pumping costs, and contribute to land subsidence.Julie supports policies intended to balance economic growth with long-term groundwater sustainability, including greater transparency in water-management decisions and stronger local involvement in groundwater planning.Sources: <a href="https://www.arizonawaterfacts.com/water-your-facts">Arizona Department of Water Resources, Water Your Facts, “Arizona Water Supplies”</a>. <h4>Which companies have been involved in controversies over groundwater pumping in Arizona? </h4>Several high-profile disputes have focused on large agricultural and investment companies operating in rural Arizona. In State of Arizona v. Fondomonte, the state alleged that Fondomonte Arizona LLC, a subsidiary of a Saudi-owned company, pumped vast quantities of groundwater from the Ranegras Plain Basin to grow alfalfa for export. Court filings and state reports noted concerns about declining groundwater levels and ground collapse in the area. Investigative reporting by Reveal in 2023 found that Al Dahra, a United Arab Emirates–owned agricultural company, operates farming operations in western Arizona that rely on groundwater to grow hay to send overseas. Reveal also reported that the Arizona State Retirement System had $175 million in investments connected to this operation. In 2026, AZ Mirror reported on proposals involving Water Asset Management, a hedge fund associated with groundwater-rights acquisitions in rural Arizona. Local residents and water advocates expressed concerns that the purchases could facilitate future transfers of groundwater to urban areas.Sources: [1] <a href="https://stateimpactcenter.org/files/AG_Actions_Arizona_Fondomonte_Complaint_12.11.2024.pdf">State of Arizona v. Fondomonte</a>; [2] <a href="https://revealnews.org/article/arizona-retirement-system-water-rights/">Nathan Halverson, Reveal News, State Pension Fund is Helping a Middle Eastern Firm Export Arizona’s Precious Groundwater</a>; [3] <a href="https://originals.azpm.org/s/99381-hedge-funds-and-foreign-farms-get-the-water-rural-arizonans-get-empty-wells/">Caitlin Sievers, AZ Mirror, Rural Arizonans Fight Bill That Would Let A Hedge Fund Sell Their Water To Phoenix</a>.

We must secure a sustainable water supply to protect our way of life. By bringing together business leaders, environmental experts, rural communities, and local governments, we can safeguard Arizona’s natural resources and ensure a strong, resilient future for generations to come.

Water Security and Natural Resources

Business & tech leader Julie Gable, candidate for Arizona State House LD3, champions affordable healthcare, responsible AI, stronger education, and water security.

Julie Gable | State House LD3 | Brighter Future for Arizona

Julie Gable Campaign

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