TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Arizona Schools for the Deaf and Blind will no longer be funded by House Bill 2456.
State Senators terminated the bill on March, 29.
The program terminates every few years, and a new bill is usually passed to extend it.
Lawmakers amended the bill to fund the school for only two years instead of eight years during a Senate hearing this morning.
Community members attended the hearing to voice their concerns.
One member happened to be an Oscar winner from Mesa, Arizona, Troy Kotsur.
Kotsur won an Oscar for his supporting role in the movie Coda.
He has been deaf since birth and testified during the hearing to ask the Senate for full funding.
Related articles: Parents, activists of Arizona's deaf and blind community hope ASDB is funded 'for another eight years'
With House Bill 2456 yet to pass, the future of ASDB remains unclear
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Bivian Contreras is a real-time editor for KGUN 9. Bivian graduated from the University of Arizona School of Journalism with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcast and is currently pursuing a degree in Broadcast Operational Meteorology. Share your story ideas and important issues with Bivian by emailing bivian.contreras@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
