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Midyear property tax repeal a potential ‘nightmare’ for counties
Legislative Republicans may have to reconcile themselves to at least one year of the state equalization property tax. It would be theoretically possible to repeal the tax retroactively during the next legislative session, so that property owners would be reimbursed for the taxes already paid under the equalization rate. But any lawmaker hoping to do so can expect fierce opposition from county trea[...]
Campaign 2010
Rep. Nancy Barto, who is not termed until 2012, has opened an exploratory committee for the District 7 Senate seat currently held by Sen. Jim Waring, who is term-limited next year. Rep. Ray Barnes, who like Waring is termed in 2010, opened a Senate exploratory committee back in February.
Senate revives sales tax referral
The Arizona Senate has revived a measure that contains a provision for a sales tax increase, even though some lawmakers have called it a "dead horse." Senate President Bob Burns indicated lawmakers would continue to work to pass the ballot referral.
Did Burns have a 16th with Miranda?
Perhaps not. All Dems present voted no as did three Republicans: Pamela Gorman, Ron Gould and Jim Waring. Some in the gallery thought that Waring was playing safety for the team, voting no to give Burns someone on the prevailing side to ask for reconsideration.
Prop. 105 referral removed from budget bill
The Senate has amended one of the budget bills to remove the provision that called for a ballot referral for the suspension of Proposition 105.
No budget this week; session will drag into Aug.
The Senate met for a few minutes today (July 31), but only to adjourn the special session until Aug. 4. Even then, though, it’s not clear whether leaders in the Senate will be able to gather enough votes to pass the budget legislation that has tied them up for the past several days.
Methadone bill signed into law; no mention of methadone
Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill on July 13 that originally aimed specifically to penalize people caught driving while under the influence of methadone. But the legislation was watered down to a point where the final language differs only slightly from existing law. It actually morphed several times, as sometimes happens to measures as they work their way through the Legislature.
State senator from Window Rock getting married
Sen. Albert Hale, a Window Rock Democrat and former president of the Navajo Nation, is getting married on June 27. Hale will marry Dr. Paula Curley, the state advocacy and policy manager for Save the Children-Western Region.
