Ducey promises 'serious' education reform at inaugural

• Gov. Doug Ducey promised %22serious reform%22 of Arizona%27s public schools in an inaugural address in which he repeated a commitment to limited government.
• He reiterated his campaign pledge to not raise taxes%2C and said he would rebuff those who suggested it.
• Ducey said all children do not have equal access to a top-notch education and that inequity must be reversed.

Gov. Doug Ducey promised "serious reform" of Arizona's public schools in an inaugural address in which he repeated a commitment to limited government.

The Republican became Arizona's 23rd governor in a noontime ceremony that drew several thousand to a fenced-off state Capitol under sunny skies.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Scott Bales administered the oath of office to Ducey, who was flanked by his wife, Angela, and their three sons. The crowd stood as Ducey, in a dark suit and a bright red tie, took the oath.

The new governor struck an optimistic and determined tone, noting the state's imminent budget deficit but promising it, and other challenges, are "entirely within our power to overcome."

He reiterated his campaign pledge to not raise taxes, and said he would rebuff those who suggest it.

"And I will replay: not on our watch," he said, drawing applause from the crowd.

"In the plainest terms, it's not that the people are taxed too little; it's that their government is spending unwisely," he said. "Raise taxes and you haven't solved anything. All that does is excuse the ineffective spending and invite more of it."

Returning repeatedly to his theme of opportunity, Ducey said the daily work of his administration will be to expand opportunity to all Arizonans to achieve their best and ensure a brighter future for their children.

"Opportunity is a new job or training for a better job. It's the kind of schools where every child can grow in knowledge and character, the kind of neighborhoods where families feel protected and a state where enterprise is welcome and hard work rewarded."

That future will depend on education, an issue Ducey discussed in only general terms during the campaign. In his speech, Ducey was more precise, saying children do not have equal access to a top-notch education and that inequity must be reversed.

"It will be a first principle of my agenda that schools and choices available to affluent parents must be open to all parents, whatever their means, wherever they live, period," he said.

Ducey's children attend Catholic schools.

He didn't offer details on how he would expand those school choices, but during the campaign he talked about funding the wait lists at high-demand schools. More details are likely to come in his State of the State address to the Legislature next week. He also hinted that his budget, which is due Jan. 16, will contain uncomfortable choices.

"Fair warning: the budget will not meet with general approval among special interests — and if they did approve, I would start to worry," he said.

A businessman by background, Ducey said Arizona has ground to make up when it comes to economic opportunity.

"(A)s opportunity goes, in the rankings of states, Arizona is still too far down the list," he said. "We have what it takes to be at the top.

"By focusing our effort we will see new investment, more companies moving here, growing here, starting here, and many new jobs added these next four years," Ducey said.

Arizona will be the "pace leader" in the competition to be the best state in which to do business, he said.

Prior to Ducey's speech, five other statewide officials, all Republicans, were sworn into office: Secretary of State Michele Reagan, Attorney General Mark Brnovich, State Treasurer Jeff DeWit, Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas and Mine Inspector Joe Hart.

Reagan's father Michael, a Maricopa County Justice of the Peace, administered the oath to his daughter.

Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com or via Twitter @maryjpitzl.

Gov. Doug Ducey's inauguration