Higher Sales Taxes Unless You Take Action Now

Two important bills need your attention. Out-of-control spending in Arizona government is paving the way for higher sales taxes.

First, the Senate has yet to approve a bill that would give voters a chance to stop out-of-control spending. The Arizona House has already voted to give taxpayers the tools to bring our state back from the nation's worst state deficit crisis. We need your help to urge the Senate to follow the House's example by approving HCR 2044. (Click here for more detailed information on HCR 2044)

TAKE ACTION NOW, click here

Second, the Senate has failed to approve a measure that would help meet transportation infrastructure needs with private financing. Their inaction paves the way for a significant sales tax hike because our state needs to build tens of billions of dollars in new highways, but doesn't have the money. We need your help to encourage lawmakers to allow private financing of transportation infrastructure and oppose any proposal to raise sales taxes. (Click here for more detailed information on private financing of transportation infrastructure)

1) HIGHER SALES TAXES

The Good Guys in the Arizona House of Representatives have voted to give Arizona voters a chance to stop some of the out-of-control spending that has given Arizona the nation’s worst deficit crisis. (The Bad Guys are listed here.) If the Senate fails to pass the reform, Arizona government spending is guaranteed to continue to increase on autopilot—even though there is no revenue to pay for it.

Combined with Gov. Janet Napolitano’s reckless refusal to cut spending, autopilot spending has Arizona looking at billion-dollar deficits as far as the eye can see. It is only a matter of time before the Governor and Legislature raise state sales taxes to bridge the gap. Your state Senator needs to hear from you today.

TAKE ACTION NOW TO FIX THE DEFICIT AND PREVENT A STATE SALES TAX INCREASE

2) PRIVATE FINANCING OF TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

The Arizona Senate has failed to approve measures that would allow for the private financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of new state highways. Given that Arizona needs to build tens of billions of dollars in new highways and freeways, current tax revenues will not come anywhere close to providing that infrastructure.

Arizona has two choices: increased sales taxes or private financing. If our politicians choose to increase taxes, we will get much less road for the money we spend, as projects come in over-budget and way past deadline. Also, political compromises will mean that transportation budgets will be larded with wasteful transit projects such as light rail.

The House of Representatives must act to prevent a wasteful tax increase from being imposed on the people of Arizona. Your state Representatives need to hear from you today.

TAKE ACTION NOW TO PREVENT HIGHER SALES TAXES.

Tom Jenney

Arizona Director

Americans for Prosperity