The state is illegally forcing cities and towns to chip in $30 million to help balance Arizona’s budget, according to a lawsuit filed by the Arizona League of Cities and Towns.
The League, which advocates for municipalities at the state Capitol, filed a petition for special action with the Arizona Supreme Court asking for a ruling on the constitutionality of a provision in the budget that that requires counties, cities and towns to deposit $29.7 million into the state general fund.
The line in the budget increases state revenues, according to the legal filing. Because it passed both the House and Senate with slim majorities, the budget was not in compliance with the Arizona Constitution, which was amended in 1992 to require an increase in state revenue be approved by a two-thirds majority in each legislative chamber.
“Arizona’s municipalities have always expressed a willingness to cooperate with the state during these difficult times, but we cannot allow this precedent to go unchallenged,” said League President and Chandler Mayor Boyd Dunn.