Once again, the big issue with the AZ Legislature is the budget. Governor Ducey and the Legislative leadership are firmly advocating the 2.5% flat tax to be in the budget. This week, the temporary focus will be on legislation to support the effort to fight wildfires in the state but negotiations are continuing on the budget.
Alternatives being discussed include:
- Keep the flat income tax but have it set a little higher than the 2.5% – Just as bad
- Cap the maximum income tax at something higher than the 4.5% proposed – most likely violates the Prop 208 requirement
- Increase the revenue share to cities and towns from 15% to 17% – better but they would need 18% to remain whole
- Give taxpayers a one-time rebate instead of enacting permanent tax cuts – a lesser evil perhaps
All this tax cut discussion is driven, for the most part, by temporary revenue bubbles. We ought to be focused on what services could be enhanced by this added revenue as well as dealing with the state’s $7.6 Billion debt.
Lawmakers are bypassing the traditional committee hearing process for bills but you can provide a simple thumbs up or thumbs down using RTS – go to “My Bill Positions” to register your position. Your position will be seen by lawmakers as they consider these bills even if they avoid the committee process.
Here are bills that might surface to be enacted once the budget issues are resolved:
HB2905 & SB1837 – OPPOSE – Would make it a felony to send someone a ballot if they didn’t explicitly request one.
HB2911 & SB1849 – SUPPORT – This is a package of reforms for incarcerated women.
HB2915 & SB1841 – OPPOSE – Would allow any member of the AZ Legislature to demand the Attorney General to review a presidential executive order to possibly declare it unconstitutional.
HB2917 & SB1843 – OPPOSE – Would relax laws surrounding speeding making all of us less safe.
HB2918 & SB1844 – OPPOSE – Would increase the allowable dollar-for-dollar tax deduction for 529 accounts – This is another back-door way to defund public education at its roots.
Here is the contact information for our Legislators:
SENATE:
LD 6 – Wendy Rogers 602-926-3042
LD 7 – Jamescita Peshlakai 602-926-3160
President Karen Fann 602-926-5874
Majority Ldr Rick Gray 602-926-5413
HOUSE:
LD 6 – Walt Blackman 602-926-3043
LD 6 – Brenda Barton 602-926-3421
LD 7 – Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren 602-926-3069
LD 7 – Myron Tsosie 602-926-3157
Speaker Russell Bowers 602-926-3128
Majority Ldr Ben Toma 602-926-3298
CONTACT THE GOVERNOR AS BILLS MOVE TO HIM TO SIGN
IT IS BEST TO CALL HIS OFFICE TO VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION – 602-542-4331.
IF YOU TWEET – SEND YOUR OPPOSITION VIA TWITTER – @DOUGDUCEY
(He hates to get Tweets it seems!!)
USE RESISTBOT as well:
- Click on “Messages” on your iphone
- Type in 504-09 and hit send
- Type in “Resist” and send
- Follow requests for information that appear
- Select the person you want to send a message to – legislator, governor, etc.
- Draft your message and hit send
- Resist bot takes care of the rest.