Property tax measure faces no opposition
A years-long quest to drastically lower property taxes on business equipment is finally on the ballot, without even a hint of organized opposition. Proposition 116 would amend the Arizona Constitution to raise the limit on the amount of business personal property that is exempt from property taxes. The ballot measure would raise the exemption from $68,000 to the equivalent of the average annual[...]
New law lets beer aficionados with ‘growlers’ tap into bars
For many beer aficionados, nothing beats the freshness and flavor of a microbrew straight from the tap. Many drive miles to brewpubs to fill up glass bottles, also called growlers, with their favorites.
Arizona panned for family leave protections, along with most other states
WASHINGTON – Arizona got a grade of D for its legal protections for employees who need to take family or medical leave, in a recent national report ranking states on their health leave laws. But the state was in good company: The report by the National Partnership for Women and Families gave grades of D or F to 34 states for their leave policies for both public- and private-sector workers.
Shame on David Martin for failing to mention light rail
David Martin’s June 8 guest opinion article, “Transportation funding is neither Democrat nor Republican — it’s American,” which supports 2004’s Proposition 400 imposition of a 20-year, half-cent sales tax in Maricopa County to fund regional transit projects, is misguided.
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.
Arizona businesswoman asks Congress for certainty, clarity in estate tax
Phoenix accountant Thala Rolnick told a House committee Thursday that, whatever Congress does with the estate tax, it needs to make sure the law is clear and consistent so small-business owners can plan their estates.
Brewer task force to overhaul sales taxes
Gov. Jan Brewer is assembling a task force that will overhaul Arizona’s sales tax code and make it easier for business to comply with a system that she said is among the most complicated in the country.
Arizona Senate OKs tax cuts as session nears end
Arizona lawmakers advanced tax cut legislation Thursday as they pushed to end their regular session, despite complaints that they courted danger by moving forward with proposals put on their desks just hours earlier.
Bill seeks state backing for business loans
Proponents of a bill that would use state tax credits to encourage lenders to open their wallets for small businesses say they can help struggling entrepreneurs get access to much needed capital without invoking the most dreaded phrase in the debate over government incentives — “picking winners and losers.”
Tort measures having mixed success
Conservative Republicans who dominate the Legislature say the timing is right to overhaul Arizona’s civil justice system, arguing the changes are needed to improve the state’s business climate.
But so far, their success has been mixed.
Lawmakers, group want to hand big tax break to businesses
Businesses planning on purchasing new machinery in 2013 or later may get some tax relief under a referendum at the state Legislature. HCR 2009, sponsored by Rep. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, and developed by the Arizona chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses would exempt the first $2.4 million of new equipment or machinery purchased after 2013 from the business personal proper[...]
Ariz. governor seeking tax changes for businesses
Building on last year's big "competitiveness" package of tax cuts for businesses, Republican Gov. Jan Brewer is offering a new, smaller package of proposed changes that she says will address so-called "problem areas."