Arizona needs tax cuts, not increases, to boost economy
Arizonans struggling to find employment in these tough economic times will now have even fewer job opportunities in the months and years ahead as a result of the failure of H2250.
Burns was key hurdle to ‘jobs bill’
If there had been one person who could have persuaded enough Senate Republicans to pass the so-called jobs bill, it was probably Senate President Bob Burns.
Capitol Quotes: April 23, 2010
“If he doesn’t have the courage to vote his conscience, that’s Konopnicki’s problem, not mine.” — Sen. Russell Pearce, on Rep. Bill Konopnicki’s comments that he had problems with S1070, but felt obligated to vote for it nonetheless.
Opposing GOP ‘jobs bill’ would jeopardize Brewer
A package of tax cuts aimed at spurring economic growth has become a political landmine for Gov. Jan Brewer, who is facing a tough primary challenge from several fellow Republicans unhappy with her fiscal decisions.
Counties mailing early ballots on sales tax
County elections officials across Arizona are mailing early ballots to voters for the May 18 special election on a proposed temporary sales tax increase to help balance the state budget.
Registration deadline looms for special election
The deadline for registering to vote in the May 18 special election is late Monday night.
Senate panel advances ‘jobs’ bill, but fate is uncertain
A bill that aims to spur job growth through tax cuts to businesses and tax credits for companies that create new high-wage jobs has cleared one hurdle in the Senate, but its ultimate fate is still uncertain.
Contingency: Vote for tax hike, or here’s what gets cut
The budget that was mostly approved by lawmakers on March 11 will cut $1.2 billion in state spending, but it includes a contingency plan that will reduce spending by almost double that amount if voters reject a sales tax increase that will be on the ballot May 18.
Budget plan shifts cost of jailing juveniles to cities, counties
Lawmakers are tossing around a budget plan that would shutter the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, put counties in charge of incarcerating juveniles and shift some of the cost to municipalities.
Day 2: Tracking the special session
UPDATE: 4:35 p.m. Senate President Bob Burns acknowledged it took a significant effort by Republicans and Democrats to pass all six special session budget bills out of his chamber, even though he wouldn’t “put it in the fiscally responsible plan category.”
Brewer hails passage of cuts, says it’s a good day
Gov. Jan Brewer, flanked by Senate President Bob Burns and House Speaker Kirk Adams, signed the special session bills just hours after they passed the House.
Report ranks Arizona ninth nationally in state, local reliance on sales taxes
Arizona ranks ninth nationally in its reliance on sales taxes to fund its state and local governments, according to a report by a nonpartisan tax research organization. The Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation found that 48.4 percent of Arizona's tax base came from general sales taxes and from selective sales taxes on motor fuel, tobacco, insurance premiums, public utilities, amusements and al[...]