Rail and roads
The iArizona Committee is headed by Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and backed by a broad coalition of local politicians, construction contractors and business interests. Their ultimate goal is to boost Arizona’s economy and status as a transportation hub connecting Los Angeles, Dallas and Mexico, as well as linking Arizona’s manufacturing and economic hubs to one another.
State panel studying federally owned land lacks money to produce report
A legislative committee charged with studying the amount of government-owned and privately held land in Arizona is close to having enough data to issue a report, but has no money to fund the effort.
Prop.117 property tax gets voters’ nod
Voters rallied behind a proposal that is meant to check wild swings in property tax bills, the initial count by the Secretary of State’s Office shows.
Governor signs bill on tax rebate for homeowners
Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill to eliminate a requirement that homeowners submit an affidavit to receive a property tax rebate.
Prop. 13 Arizona is a catalyst for economic growth, housing recovery
Arizona certainly needs property tax reform. We have the most complicated and complex property tax system in the nation, one that produces unpredictable and inexplicable property tax bills for homeowners and businesses. With a “share of the pie” system driven not by what your property is worth, but rather how much money the taxing districts want to spend, you are always one tax bill away fro[...]
Influential tax policy group seeks limit in growth of property values
An influential tax policy group will seek to put a measure on the ballot to limit growth in property values.
The Arizona Tax Research Association wants taxable property values to grow by no more than 5 percent each year.
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[...]
Brewer eyes a raft of changes to tax code
Gov. Jan Brewer is looking to build on last year’s tax cuts with a handful of changes aimed at fixing “problem areas” in the state’s tax code.
Michael Hunter, Brewer’s lobbyist, outlined the changes the governor wants to make at an Arizona Commerce Authority Board meeting on Wednesday.
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."
Counties plan to lobby against giving money to state budget
Maricopa County has decided to push back against the multi-million dollar contributions the state has forced it and four other counties to provide during the past three fiscal years to help fill holes in the budget.
Business group trying to veto-proof its tax-break bill
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council is rebooting its signature bill from the 2011 legislative session with some substantial changes that may help it avoid another veto.
The GPEC-drafted proposal, obtained by the Arizona Capitol Times, contains familiar benefits for businesses: A huge property tax break for companies that make major investments, and a tax break for Arizona-bas[...]
Look what I did!
With Arizona’s jobless rate hanging stubbornly at 9 percent, next year’s election will come down to one issue that trumps all others: jobs.
And as dozens of lawmakers gear up for the campaign season — including the 25 freshmen elected last year — they know that voters will be expecting them to do something about it.