Consumers and homeowners would pay higher taxes under a new budget proposal from legislative Democrats, but they say it will protect middle-class families more than Republican proposals and will stabilize future state revenues.

Labor unions and a variety of advocacy groups have compiled a list of alternate budget options for lawmakers to consider and are urging the adoption of a budget that makes no spending cuts and restores cuts made in January.

Most Arizonans support Gov. Jan Brewer's proposal for a temporary sales tax increaseto help address the state's budget deficit, according to a Cronkite/Eight Poll released April 28.