TEMPE, Ariz. — State lawmakers are targeting Arizona State University in a piece of new legislation that seeks to cut over $540 million in funding from the Tempe-based university.
Senate Bill 1152 wants to return from ASU's coffers about $548 million or "the amount of monies remaining unexpended and unencumbered" from other appropriations.
The legislation was introduced a couple of months after a group of GOP lawmakers held a hearing where members expressed an appetite to "gut" the university after discussing free speech concerns.
"We're going to capitalize on that appetite in the next session," state Sen. Anthony Kern, R-District 27, warned during the Nov. 27 hearing.
ASU has come under scrutiny in recent months regarding how the university has handled campus protests and speeches related to the Israel-Hamas war. A former employee has also accused ASU of firing her for inviting right-wing speakers to campus, which the university has denied.
This all culminated in lawmakers devising an Ad Hoc Committee on "Freedom of Expression at Arizona's Public Universities," which Democrats chose not to participate in because they felt Republicans were using it to "spread misinformation and division."
During November's committee hearing, Kern called ASU President Michael Crow a "joke" and suggested that donors pull their money from the university.
"You will not take down my country, you will not take down my universities and you will not continue down the path of Marxism and Communism," Kern said during the committee hearing.
Kern is listed as one of the sponsors of the SB 1152 alongside five other lawmakers.
According to Board of Regents records, ASU was appropriated over $300 million in funding from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2022.
Even if the bill were to pass out of the Legislature, it would likely have a difficult time not getting vetoed by a Democratic governor who has expressed support for higher education.
Gov. Katie Hobbs has recently proposed investing funds for health care programs at Arizona's public universities in the budget she released last week.
ASU did not immediately respond to an inquiry seeking comment on the legislation.
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
UP TO SPEED
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.