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Arizona cities aim to protect state-shared revenue
A top priority of cities and towns during the upcoming session of the Arizona Legislature is protecting the tax revenue distributed back to them from the state.
Arizona’s debt has grown $4B since recession began
Most state lawmakers insist they had no other choice than to borrow billions of dollars to keep Arizona government running during the past few years. The reality, however, is that they had a couple of options – they just didn’t like them.
Budget crisis looms over Arizona governor’s race
With the state's budget crisis showing no signs of abating, voters on Nov. 2 will be electing a governor who could have a yearslong headache while trying to keep the state running and in the black amid a still unsteady economy.
Brewer: Budget can be balanced without tax hike
Gov. Jan Brewer said she believes the state can balance its budget next session without another tax hike, but she didn't rule out the possibility. "I am hoping that we do not," Brewer said at a Sept. 30 press conference on the steps of the Executive Tower.
Tax and budget recommendations for Arizona’s leaders
Most Arizonans know that the state faces dire fiscal problems. Yet, it is likely that few Arizonans have heard our state’s gubernatorial or legislative candidates talk about tax and budget policy solutions.
ATRA gives Legislature mixed review
The Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die on April 29, and the policy achievements of the 49th Legislature get a mixed review from a taxpayer’s perspective.
Five senators signing off after this year
Half of the Senate won’t be coming back to the 30-person chamber in 2011. A majority of them face term limits and therefore cannot seek re-election. But some have decided to retire, for now at least.
After May 18: What Arizona must do next
Regardless of what happens to the Proposition 100 sales tax hike on May 18, Gov. Jan Brewer and the Arizona Legislature have a lot of work ahead of them.
House panel to consider debt limit increase
An Arizona House committee is scheduled to consider a measure asking voters whether to increase the state's debt limit while requiring voter approval for debts backed by tax dollars.
‘Jobs bill’ rewritten without personal income tax cut
A bill intended to reduce business and personal taxes would change significantly if a Senate committee adopts a strike-everything amendment that was agreed upon by leaders of both chambers.
Budget detailed, vote expected
The budget deal Republican lawmakers struck with the governor on June 26 includes $630 million in cuts, a dramatic change to a flat income tax system and a provision that will let voters decide this fall if a temporary sales tax increase should be used to bridge future deficits.
Deficit figure still a moving target
Lawmakers and budget officials have been estimating the deficit of the upcoming fiscal year at about $3 billion, even though the economy has continued a treacherous slide and state revenues have eroded at an alarming pace.
