Showing posts with label Tax Increase. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tax Increase. Show all posts
Friday, August 1, 2008
Gov Backs Tax Hike
From the Arizona Free Enterprise Club:
Napolitano Backs Two Tax Hikes as Arizona Economy Struggles ~
Sales tax increase would add $1.2 billion and property taxes another $250 million
annually in new tax burden.
Phoenix, AZ – Steve Voeller, president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, today warned
Arizonans to brace for a heavy tax burden in 2010. Against the backdrop of a slowing economy,
a $1.5 billion deficit next year, and billions more in total state debt, Gov. Napolitano is
supporting two major tax increases.
This year the governor vetoed a bill that would have prevented a statewide property tax
increase from coming back on the books in 2009. Without further action, a property tax cut that
passed in 2006 will return next year at a cost of $250 million a year.
In her veto message, Napolitano said that making the tax cut permanent would “be the
height of fiscal irresponsibility.” Soon thereafter, the governor signed a budget into law that
added $2 billion in new debt, including $1 billion in university construction that is financed by a
planned expansion of the Arizona lottery.
The governor is also the lead proponent of a new statewide sales tax increase for various
transportation projects, grants to non-profit organizations, and wildlife habitat preservation (the
TIME initiative). This tax would add $1.2 billion annually to the Arizona tax burden beginning
in 2010. The new state sales tax rate would be 6.6 percent (a 17.8 percent increase) and would
give Arizona the fifth-highest sales tax rate in the country.
“Arizona’s economy just had one of the worst quarters in recent history and an
unemployment rate jump not seen since 1991,” Voeller said. “The last thing we need now is
a tax increase.”
According to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Arizona personal income grew by
3.8 percent in the first quarter, the slowest growth rate since October 2003. On an annualized
basis, Arizona personal income growth ranked 42nd in the nation.
“You can’t tax your way to prosperity,” Voeller said. “What our economy needs now
is a freeze on all tax increases and a serious dose of spending restraint.”
Napolitano Backs Two Tax Hikes as Arizona Economy Struggles ~
Sales tax increase would add $1.2 billion and property taxes another $250 million
annually in new tax burden.
Phoenix, AZ – Steve Voeller, president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, today warned
Arizonans to brace for a heavy tax burden in 2010. Against the backdrop of a slowing economy,
a $1.5 billion deficit next year, and billions more in total state debt, Gov. Napolitano is
supporting two major tax increases.
This year the governor vetoed a bill that would have prevented a statewide property tax
increase from coming back on the books in 2009. Without further action, a property tax cut that
passed in 2006 will return next year at a cost of $250 million a year.
In her veto message, Napolitano said that making the tax cut permanent would “be the
height of fiscal irresponsibility.” Soon thereafter, the governor signed a budget into law that
added $2 billion in new debt, including $1 billion in university construction that is financed by a
planned expansion of the Arizona lottery.
The governor is also the lead proponent of a new statewide sales tax increase for various
transportation projects, grants to non-profit organizations, and wildlife habitat preservation (the
TIME initiative). This tax would add $1.2 billion annually to the Arizona tax burden beginning
in 2010. The new state sales tax rate would be 6.6 percent (a 17.8 percent increase) and would
give Arizona the fifth-highest sales tax rate in the country.
“Arizona’s economy just had one of the worst quarters in recent history and an
unemployment rate jump not seen since 1991,” Voeller said. “The last thing we need now is
a tax increase.”
According to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Arizona personal income grew by
3.8 percent in the first quarter, the slowest growth rate since October 2003. On an annualized
basis, Arizona personal income growth ranked 42nd in the nation.
“You can’t tax your way to prosperity,” Voeller said. “What our economy needs now
is a freeze on all tax increases and a serious dose of spending restraint.”
Saturday, July 5, 2008
More Mischief in the Desert
Move afoot to revive spring training bill
Make sure you read the comments...most folks are against this tax increase that would build a new stadium and agree that private entities like the ball club itself, should finance this endeavor.
Make sure you read the comments...most folks are against this tax increase that would build a new stadium and agree that private entities like the ball club itself, should finance this endeavor.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Downtime...with a Side of Links
I made it into town last Saturday evening and promised myself (and my family) that I would take a week to relax before jumping full speed into campaign mode. I am thankful for this down time and relishing having the grandkids in town!
Please excuse the lighthearted posts but my heart just sings having the two boys around. Besides boating on Lake Havasu, we have been swimming in the pool, making cupcakes, playing Wii bowling, watching Veggie Tales, and countless other fun activities. I have roasted two herb and garlic-rubbed pork loins, slow-cooked two tri-tips for BBQ sandwiches, grilled chicken for my famous chicken pasta salad, and tried a new recipe for Brown-Sugar Bacon that I saw Billy Joel's wife make this on the Food Network last week. Yummmmm...
For those of you who need some meat and potatoes to accompany this family fluff I gladly provide the following Arizona-related links:
That's it for now...there is a messy kitchen and a couple of hungry kids calling my name!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Coyote Blog: Taking A Peak Inside the Sausage Factory
~another blogger's take on the Governor's suggested sales tax increase for Transportation and the deal she struck with the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona
Breakdown of TIME's Transportation Proposal for Sales Tax Increase
NOTE: I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS TAX INCREASE. I only desire to provide additional information so that all can see the numerous flaws in this proposal.
Breakdown of Additional Sales Tax Monies:
- 55% of the sales tax monies are to be dedicated to roads/highways as follows:
• 49% to projects in Maricopa County
• 12% to projects in Pima County
• 39% to projects in all other counties
- 18% of the sales tax monies are to be dedicated to rail/transit projects as follows:
• 8% to projects in Maricopa County
• 5% to projects in Pima County
• 87% to any project in the state
- 26% of the sales tax monies are to be dedicated to local transportation projects as follows (based on population):
• 60% to cities, towns and Indian Reservations in Maricopa County (the county itself is conspicuously absent from the list)
• 38% to all other counties, and the cities and towns within them
• 2% to Indian Tribes in any county other than Maricopa
• 4% for ‘transportation related enhancements’ (easements, environmental issues, landscaping)to cities, towns, counties and Indian tribes
• 3% to open space conservation and wildlife habitat fund, to be distributed through a grant
program with Arizona Department of Transportation and the Arizona Game and Fish
Department
Copies of the initiative are available from the Arizona Secretary of State’s office
Breakdown of Additional Sales Tax Monies:
- 55% of the sales tax monies are to be dedicated to roads/highways as follows:
• 49% to projects in Maricopa County
• 12% to projects in Pima County
• 39% to projects in all other counties
- 18% of the sales tax monies are to be dedicated to rail/transit projects as follows:
• 8% to projects in Maricopa County
• 5% to projects in Pima County
• 87% to any project in the state
- 26% of the sales tax monies are to be dedicated to local transportation projects as follows (based on population):
• 60% to cities, towns and Indian Reservations in Maricopa County (the county itself is conspicuously absent from the list)
• 38% to all other counties, and the cities and towns within them
• 2% to Indian Tribes in any county other than Maricopa
• 4% for ‘transportation related enhancements’ (easements, environmental issues, landscaping)to cities, towns, counties and Indian tribes
• 3% to open space conservation and wildlife habitat fund, to be distributed through a grant
program with Arizona Department of Transportation and the Arizona Game and Fish
Department
Copies of the initiative are available from the Arizona Secretary of State’s office
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Letter from Americans for Prosperity Director Tom Jenny
April 16, 2008
Dear Legislative District 3 Taxpayer:
The bad news is that Gov. Janet Napolitano’s veto today of House Bill 2220 will likely result in the return of a $250 million property tax, for an average property tax increase of $100 per year for the Arizona homeowner. Combined with likely increases by city, county, and local special taxing districts, the Governor’s tax increase may contribute to significant increases in the overall property tax bills of home and business owners.
The silver lining in the cloud created by Napolitano is that there is still a small chance of repealing the $250 million state-imposed education equalization property tax, as a part of budget negotiations later in the legislative session.
And the really good news is that all of your LD 3 Legislators—Sen. Ron Gould, Rep. Trish Groe, and Rep. Nancy McLain—are part of the slim majority in the Arizona Senate that wants to help Arizona property taxpayers by repealing the tax.
In the House in March, 32 Arizona Representatives (31 Republicans and 1 Democrat) voted for the HB 2220 property tax relief bill. We have listed the names and districts of the House Good Guys here:
http://www.americansforprosperity.org/includes/filemanager/files/az/goodguyshb2220.pdf
At the same time, 28 Representatives (26 Democrats and 2 Republicans) voted against HB 2220. We have listed the names and districts of the House Bad Guys here: http://www.americansforprosperity.org/includes/filemanager/files/az/badguyshb2220.pdf
Last week, 16 Arizona Representatives (15 Republicans and 1 Democrat) voted for HB 2220. 14 Arizona Representatives (12 Democrats and 2 Republicans) failed to vote to protect property taxpayers. Here is the list of Good Guys and Bad Guys for the Senate:
http://includes/filemanager/files/az/hb2220senategoodbad.pdf
Stay tuned—we will keep you posted on property tax reforms and other taxpayer-related action as the legislative session goes on.
Tom Jenney
Arizona Director
Americans for Prosperity
http://www.aztaxpayers.org/
tjenney@afphq.org
Dear Legislative District 3 Taxpayer:
The bad news is that Gov. Janet Napolitano’s veto today of House Bill 2220 will likely result in the return of a $250 million property tax, for an average property tax increase of $100 per year for the Arizona homeowner. Combined with likely increases by city, county, and local special taxing districts, the Governor’s tax increase may contribute to significant increases in the overall property tax bills of home and business owners.
The silver lining in the cloud created by Napolitano is that there is still a small chance of repealing the $250 million state-imposed education equalization property tax, as a part of budget negotiations later in the legislative session.
And the really good news is that all of your LD 3 Legislators—Sen. Ron Gould, Rep. Trish Groe, and Rep. Nancy McLain—are part of the slim majority in the Arizona Senate that wants to help Arizona property taxpayers by repealing the tax.
In the House in March, 32 Arizona Representatives (31 Republicans and 1 Democrat) voted for the HB 2220 property tax relief bill. We have listed the names and districts of the House Good Guys here:
http://www.americansforprosperity.org/includes/filemanager/files/az/goodguyshb2220.pdf
At the same time, 28 Representatives (26 Democrats and 2 Republicans) voted against HB 2220. We have listed the names and districts of the House Bad Guys here: http://www.americansforprosperity.org/includes/filemanager/files/az/badguyshb2220.pdf
Last week, 16 Arizona Representatives (15 Republicans and 1 Democrat) voted for HB 2220. 14 Arizona Representatives (12 Democrats and 2 Republicans) failed to vote to protect property taxpayers. Here is the list of Good Guys and Bad Guys for the Senate:
http://includes/filemanager/files/az/hb2220senategoodbad.pdf
Stay tuned—we will keep you posted on property tax reforms and other taxpayer-related action as the legislative session goes on.
Tom Jenney
Arizona Director
Americans for Prosperity
http://www.aztaxpayers.org/
tjenney@afphq.org
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
AZ Free Enterprise Club Press Release
Gov. Napolitano Sets Stage for Property Tax Increase
Recent comments conflict with “no tax increase” commitment
Recent comments conflict with “no tax increase” commitment
Phoenix, AZ – The Arizona Free Enterprise Club, a pro-economic growth advocacy group, today called on lawmakers to pass the permanent repeal of the state equalization rate, which, if not passed, will increase taxes on all Arizona taxpayers next year by about $250 million.
According to The Arizona Republic, Gov. Napolitano told an audience of educators that legislative efforts to prevent this tax increase are misguided because the state faces billions in deficits.
“The governor’s support for this tax increase is a direct departure from what she wrote in her 2009 budget plan, where she pledged not to raise taxes,” said Steve Voeller, president of the Club.
In trying to sell the tax increase, the governor told the group that the tax equates to “two lattes a year.”
“Points should be deducted for unoriginality,” Voeller said. “When politicians justify tax increases by calculating them as lattes or steak dinners, they imply that we can’t figure out what’s really going on.”
“Property tax increases affect everyone, including those who can’t afford to drink lattes in the first place.”
“Property taxes continue to rise as valuations fall, so whether it’s one, two or 200 lattes, tax increases in today’s market will hurt everyone’s bottom line.”
“This is especially perplexing since the governor recently argued that people need help with their rising adjustable rate mortgages. Wouldn’t one way to do that include preventing property taxes from going up?”
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