One-Cent Sales Tax Increase: The Problem is Tunnel Vision
by Jonathan Butcher
Arizona’s teachers union has a
fixation on school funding. And if the union’s proposed ballot
initiative to permanently raise the sales tax in Arizona is any
indication, they have also developed tunnel vision. The teachers union
and other education associations want the “temporary” one cent sales tax
increase that passed two years ago to become permanent.
 But that’s not all.
The union’s ballot initiative
would tie the hands of future lawmakers and Arizonans by saying that
Arizona can never spend less on education—K-12, state colleges, and
universities—than we did in 2011-12 or 2012-13, whichever is greater.
Plus, the limit on school district bonds and budget overrides can never
be lower than it was in 2012.
While increasing education
funding is always tempting, this initiative ignores some important
realities. First, state revenues fluctuate. Prices change. School
enrollment changes. And with the advent of full- and part-time virtual
schools, hybrid schools, open enrollment transfers, and education
savings accounts, the government needs more flexibility in the future to
adjust for financial needs—not less.
Second, the ballot measure
would replace elected officials’ authority over Arizona’s budget with
the desires of a union. By setting a minimum education funding level in
stone, the union gives itself authority over the state budget, half of
which already goes to education.
Education funding should be
tied to students for whatever schooling environment suits their
individual needs. The union’s proposal would lock taxpayers and students
into a fixed system of ever-increasing costs. Voters beware.
Jonathan Butcher is education director for the Goldwater Institute.
Learn More:
Goldwater Institute: Are We Talking About a Sales Tax... Again?
Goldwater Institute: It's the Same Old Song
State of Arizona: Quality Education and Jobs Act (PDF)
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