Latest ESA data strengthens my support for ESAs
ESA opponents can’t get enough of sharing ABC 15’s recent “investigative” report. I couldn’t understand what they were so excited about because the report actually pointed out the program’s success.
Senate pushes rental tax elimination (again)
The Senate voted Tuesday to pass a revised version of the rental tax elimination bill that was vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs a few months ago.
Lawmakers approve $45 million to promote NASCAR raceway
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee certified a plan Tuesday that requires the Arizona Office of Tourism to spend $1.5 million a year for 30 years promoting ISM Raceway, Avondale’s one-mile NASCAR race track.
Ducey, Legislature scrape together revenues for $10.4 billion budget proposal
State lawmakers are moving to adopt a $10.4 billion spending plan for the coming fiscal year, balancing the books -- and finding the dollars for a teacher pay hike plan -- at least in part by passing along expenses to some local taxpayers.
Ducey takes on budget risk to fund teacher pay hike
As Arizona clawed its way out of the Great Recession, Gov. Doug Ducey sought to ease the state’s reliance on borrowing and gimmicks to balance the budget.
Lack of impact data stalls bills to bar digital goods’ tax
An effort to forgo sales taxes on digital goods and services has stalled while state budget analysts try to figure out how much Arizona may stand to lose in tax revenue.
Ducey disputes group’s claim school funding less now than leaner times
Gov. Doug Ducey is fighting back against a report by a left-leaning research group that shows Arizona is spending less on K-12 education today than before the recession when inflation is taken into account.
Arizona Legislature’s budget analysts predict 2018 shortfall
The Arizona Legislature's budget analysts predicted a budget shortfall that could top $100 million in the current and coming year as the impact of corporate tax cuts continues to overwhelm increases in sales, insurance premium and personal income tax collections.
State employees, retirees will pay for health insurance trust sweeps
Arizona state employees will pay higher premiums and copays for health insurance next year, and some lawmakers say funding sweeps approved by the Republican-controlled state Legislature are partly to blame.
Budget analysts: Arizona to lose a third of health care funds under Graham-Cassidy
Arizona stands to lose a third of its federal funds that support the expanded Medicaid program as early as 2020 if Congress adopts the Graham-Cassidy health care bill, according to legislative budget staffers.
Confusion abounds over Ducey’s public-school performance pay plan
Gov. Doug Ducey’s signature results-based funding plan for excelling schools still has districts questioning when they will receive money and how exactly it must be spent.
Increase state revenues – no new taxes are required
Very likely far more dollars could be gained with improved tax enforcement, but adding corporate auditors is an obvious step. It’s a win-win for the state and those that already comply with the state’s tax laws.