Have any extra money lying around? Want to help the state dig out of its financial hole? Or how about just simply doling out a little extra to help pay for state programs? Taxpayers will have just such an option under a new proposal by a Skull Valley lawmaker.
“Most people say, ‘I don’t want to pay more taxes,’ but there are people who want to pay more to the state,” said Rep. Judy Burges, R-4.
Critics said the measure is little more than an attempt to portray Democrats as wanting to raise taxes. House Minority Whip Steve Gallardo called the bill “ridiculous” and “crazy” and said it was an obvious political attack.
“This is their way of trying to score some cheap points,” the west Phoenix Democrat said. “If (Burges) wants to save taxes, tell her to stop drafting bills that aren’t going to go anywhere.”
Burges, though, said the motives behind H2339 are pure, and the issue was brought to her by several constituents. The bill would create a special fund — to be dubbed the “I Didn’t Pay Enough Fund” — into which a taxpayer could donate a portion of his or her tax refund. At the end of each fiscal year, the money would be transferred into the state’s general fund.
And Mesa Sen. Chuck Gray, a co-sponsor of the bill, said he believes the bill deserves serious consideration. The District 19 Republican said this measure provides those who want a tax increase the opportunity to give more of their income to the state “without burdening the rest of us with their desires.”
Rep. Adam Driggs, R-11, another of the bill’s 31 co-sponsors — all of whom are Republican — said he views the bill as more of a political statement than serious policy and he doesn’t expect anyone will actually take advantage of contributing to the fund if the bill becomes law.
“My guess is it’s a little tongue-in-cheek,” he said.
A nearly identical bill was introduced in the Senate in 2006. It failed on the floor by a 15-13 vote.