Republican legislators file complaint requesting AG investigate Phoenix’s firearm transfer to Ukraine
Two Republican lawmakers are asking the attorney general to investigate a recent ordinance passed by the City of Phoenix that authorizes the city to donate unclaimed firearms to Ukraine.
Why proposed rural groundwater control bills are bad
There has been a lot of talk recently about rural groundwater bills not getting a hearing at the Arizona Legislature. Over the years, proposed legislation has gone by many names, including “Groundwater Conservation Areas,” “Special Management Areas,” “Rural Management Areas,” and “Local Groundwater Stewardship Areas.” Regardless of the name, the concept is the same, and all are bad[...]
House refuses to require individual income tax rates to be cut during surplus
The state House refused Monday to require that individual income tax rates be cut automatically any time the state runs a surplus.
Lawmakers take long break – key bills await action
The pressure is off state lawmakers after Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a $17.8 billion budget package and negotiations on critical housing and transportation issues will continue during a near month-long recess of the Legislature.
Elected officials – don’t lose sight of voters’ priorities
As newly elected leaders settle into their new and familiar roles at the state Legislature, it’s important to remember that the priorities of Arizonans carry weight beyond the campaign trail. Voters will be watching political deliberations at the Capitol and expecting their leaders to deliver on the things that matter most to them.
Jones says her property tax cut bill needs major amendments to get traction
The way Rep. Rachel Jones sees it, once you've paid off your house you shouldn't have to worry about property taxes. But the first-term Republican lawmaker from Tucson acknowledged there are a bunch of practical questions with her legislation, including who would -- or should -- get a tax break. And she said her plan is probably going to need some major amendments to get any traction.
Lake and Hobbs stress business-friendly policies
Gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs, the current Democratic Secretary of State, provided a centrist stance that seemed aimed at the business community, during a candidate forum that the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted on Sept. 7. Meanwhile, Republican opponent Kari Lake emphasized many of the same policies she has touted throughout her campaign during the event.
Sinema took Wall Street money while killing tax on investors
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, the Arizona Democrat who single-handedly thwarted her party's longtime goal of raising taxes on wealthy investors, received nearly $1 million over the past year from private equity professionals, hedge fund managers and venture capitalists whose taxes would have increased under the plan.
Dems change some tax provisions as they ready economic bill
Democrats pared part of their proposed minimum tax on huge corporations and made other changes in their giant economic bill, after Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz. said she would not support it otherwise, as they drove toward delivering a campaign-season victory to President Joe Biden on his domestic agenda.
Arizona manufacturers worry about higher taxes from Washington
This is a critical moment for Arizona’s economy. Manufacturing teams like mine are reckoning with the impact of record cost increases, historic workforce shortages and supply chain disruptions.
Fire districts urge voters to support tax hike
Rural firefighters are working to drum up support for a statewide tax increase that would fund rural fire districts.
Governor vetoes transportation tax extension, draws criticism
Gov. Doug Ducey killed a huge tax extension on Wednesday that many Republicans have been pushing for months, angering politicians and lobbyists across the state.