Bigger rebates may not ease some homeowners’ pain
The delicate balancing act involved in changing Arizona’s property tax structure will leave some homeowners paying higher property taxes.
Attacked and amended, Adams’ pension bill moves forward
An amended pension-reform bill, sponsored by Arizona Speaker of the House Kirk Adams, barely survived a stormy House committee hearing on Thursday.
Campaign to highlight mandate to support education
A public-awareness campaign has been launched to draw attention to Arizona's constitutional mandate to support education.
Advocates: Easing business personal property tax will spur investments
The annual futility of efforts either to abolish Arizona’s tax on business equipment and machinery or to increase the exemption has not deterred the many critics of the tax. This... […]
Capitol Quotes: Oct. 29, 2010
“In aggregate, I would give term limits a net minus, but I don’t attribute every ill that we have to term limits. They’re not responsible for 110 degrees in July.” — Kevin McCarthy, president of the Arizona Tax Research Association, talking about the movement to repeal term limits for politicians.
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.
Three finance experts appointed to retirement board
Three experts on state finance and economy have been appointed to the Arizona State Retirement System Board, a nine-member body that prescribes investment goals and policies for the state’s retirement system.
Big Spenders: Lobbying costs rise as revenues drop
Local governments in Arizona fought off budget crises last year by reducing services, raising taxes and, in many cases, spending more money on lobbying services.
Some anti-tax groups not interested in opposing Prop. 100
The opposition campaign against Proposition 100 is shaping up to be a low-budget, decentralized effort to convince Arizonans to vote "no" on the proposed temporary sales tax increase.
Maricopa County rejects most tax appeals
Within minutes of hearing discussions of residential private golf course memberships, hilltop views and the actual market value of luxury homes in north Scottsdale, a hearing officer with the Arizona State Board of Equalization reached a conclusion - the value of Dennis Grose's home had been overestimated by the office of Maricopa County Assessor Keith Russell by almost $250,000 dollars.
Local taxpayers may see higher rates to pay for school costs
Lawmakers may shift the responsibility for education funding to local property owners as a way of coping with staggering budget deficits in the near future, even though it would translate to higher property taxes.
Unbalanced budget poses a legal quagmire
The Arizona Constitution requires the enactment of a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year before July 1. But two months into the fiscal 2010, the budget in place was not signed or balanced, even on paper.