NEWS UPDATES
Phoenix Council Trying to Sneak Union Language into Sky Harbor Concession Contracts
Trying to follow every new rule, law or ordinance proposed by government is nearly an impossible task, even for the most careful watchdogs of government. Sometimes new restrictions or special interest giveaways occur and no one realizes it until it is too late. A...
Rural Tax Credit Program Would Cost Taxpayers Millions
This session has been rich with terrible tax policy ideas. From tax increment financing to refundable tax credits – the legislature has considered several bills with proven track records of failure in other states. One particular idea that has circulated this session...
Focus Education Funding on Outcomes that Reward Achievement
As the budget battle heats up at the legislature, Governor Ducey and lawmakers are currently debating multiple proposals to increase funding for K-12 classrooms. With limited resources available to achieve many of these goals, it is important that policymakers...
SB 1146 Would Allow Unelected Bureaucrats to Raise Your Taxes
There has been a flurry of bills this session aimed at increasing funds for transportation – all have involved increasing taxes: Increased the gas tax by 10 cents – HCR 2011 Allowed counties to carve out political opposition to transportation excise tax increases– HB...
Goldwater Aims to Topple Unconstitutional Property Tax Scheme
After getting railroaded in the late 19th century and losing large sums of public money, the founding fathers of Arizona’s constitution included specific language to prevent State and local governments from handing out special deals to taxpayers that serve no...
Election Consolidation for Sales Tax Increases is a Long Overdue Reform
The Club has long been a proponent of consolidated elections, by which all elections are held in August or November of even numbered years. The purpose of consolidating election dates is to increase voter participation and to end the practice by some local governments...
Truth Revealed About Coyotes Unconstitutional Subsidy Game
As was reported last week, the Arizona Coyotes and the NHL sent a letter to the State Legislature notifying lawmakers that if they do not agree to provide $225M in taxpayer money for a new hockey arena, they are going to leave Arizona for icier pastures. The shakedown...
Legislators Say ‘No’ to Refundable Tax Credits
Legislators Say 'No' to Refundable Tax Credits THANK YOU to the legislators who voted on the floor today to oppose HB2492 - a bill that would allow a few large corporations to make their R&D tax credits refundable. No confusion here, refundable tax credits are...
HB2492 Massive Subsidy for Large Corporations
We see a lot of bad ideas down at the legislature. A lot. But every once in a while, one comes along that is so awful even we are mildly surprised by it. Behold HB2492. Special property tax giveaways for some business but not others? Payroll tax handouts...
Civil Asset Forfeiture Violates Private Property Rights
Imagine a scenario where the government can take a private citizen’s property they suspect was involved in a crime without ever having to charge anyone for a crime. Before one assumes we are speaking of some foreign country, this is the legal reality of civil asset...
SB1212 Shark Tank Bill Subsidizes Risk for Wealthy Investors
There is much discussion among lawmakers and the Governor this year about how we will prioritize the many needs of the state. Education – all day kindergarten, universities, and k-12 – all want a piece. Then there are the requirements of the State to back fill the...
“Policy Matters” Debunks Phoenix Mayor’s Claims
Mayor Greg Stanton claims that the City of Phoenix is beating the competition in attracting new businesses and jobs because of targeted tax subsidies and social progressive policies. The Club debunks these claims and shows that any credit for job growth in Phoenix...