Former Arizona schools chief Tom Horne denied Tuesday that he has a history of eliminating programs that benefit Mexican Americans.
Horne was testifying all day in a federal trial in Tucson over a 2010 state law that ended ethnic studies in the state. Plaintiffs contend the law specifically targeted the popular Mexican-American Studies program at Tucson Unified School District.
Plaintiffs' attorney Jim Quinn said Horne has in the past ended programs for Mexican Americans, including ending bilingual education in Arizona. Horne defended that move, saying it was for the educational benefit of Spanish-speaking students.
The courts have upheld most of the law, but a judge is now considering whether it was enacted with discriminatory intent.
