Arizona 1-cent sales tax initiative backers cite progress

Supporters of a proposed Arizona ballot initiative for a 1-cent sales tax increase are reporting success in getting signatures to put the measure on the November ballot.

The so-called Quality Education and Jobs campaign says supporters have collected more than175,000 voter signatures.

That’s more than the minimum 172,809 required, but campaign chairperson Ann-Eve Pedersen says backers will keep collecting signatures to provide a margin of error to offset invalid signatures.

Money raised by the increase would be directed to education, health care and other state services. The increase would take effect after a previously approved temporary increase expires in mid-2013.

Related:

• Group files ballot measure for 1-cent sales tax hike
• Details on initiative counter emerge