by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 5, 2025 | Economy, News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A bill to keep unwelcome tax increases away from unsuspecting Arizona taxpayers cleared its first body of the state legislature.
On Monday, the Arizona Senate passed SB 1013 with a 17-12 vote. One Democrat member of the chamber, Senator Burch, did not vote. All Senate Republicans voted to approve the legislation, while all Democrats in attendance voted in opposition.
If passed by the Arizona Legislature and signed into law, the bill would “prohibit the common council of a municipality or the board of supervisors of a county from increasing an assessment, tax or fee without a two-thirds vote of the governing body.”
In a statement accompanying the news of the Senate vote, President Warren Petersen, the sponsor of the bill, said, “I’ve received a number of concerns and complaints from Arizonans who are frustrated with recent hikes on taxes and fees, especially in this era of inflation. We want government to be more efficient with taxpayer dollars, and this is a step in the right direction. This commonsense taxpayer protection requires the same threshold from local governments as the Legislature when raising or imposing fees. We want to make sure government fully funds its obligations, but we also want to protect our citizens from unnecessary taxation.”
Last month, the proposal cleared the Senate Government Committee with a 4-3 vote. All Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while all Democrats registered votes in opposition in committee.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Republican Liberty Caucus of Arizona, Barry Goldwater Institute for Public Policy Research, Arizona Free Enterprise Club, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business, Republican Liberty Caucus of Arizona, and Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, signed in to support the bill. Representatives from the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, City of Casa Grande, Sierra Club – Grand Canyon Chapter, City of Bisbee, Coconino County, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, League of Arizona Cities and Towns, City of Tucson, signed in to oppose the legislation.
SB 1013 now makes its way to the Arizona House of Representatives for consideration. If passed by the state House, it would then make its way to the Governor’s Office for its fate. Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, would likely veto the bill.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 2, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
An Arizona lawmaker is working on legislation to protect his constituents from government overreach.
This week, State Senator J.D. Mesnard introduced SCR 1009 to “remove an exception from the Arizona constitution that allows government bureaucrats to assess uncapped fees without first getting a two-thirds vote from the legislature.” If passed by both chambers of the Arizona Legislature, the measure would be referred to a future statewide ballot for voter approval.
According to the press release issued by Mesnard, a Republican, SCR 1009 was deemed necessary because of a loophole that was uncovered from a previously approved voter initiative, Proposition 108, back in 1992. Prop 108 mandated a two-thirds vote of the Arizona Legislature to increase taxes, fees, and assessments on the state’s taxpayers. However, as was discovered in later years, there was an exception that was granted for fees that would be assessed by state officers or agencies. That loophole, per Mesnard, has led to hundreds of millions of dollars of fees for Arizonans, leading to the need for a measure like SCR 1009 to correct the problem and close the loophole that was being exploited by rogue bureaucrats.
In a statement announcing the introduction of the ballot measure, Senator Mesnard said, “The people have entrusted their elected officials with the power to make policies, including assessing any taxes or fees, not delegate that responsibility to unelected government officials. When Arizona voters approved Prop. 108, their intentions were clear; they wanted to set a higher threshold when imposing a greater financial burden on the people, not make it easier to do so. The current law is highly attractive to those who wish to game the system and impose fees that they know will not receive a supermajority vote from the legislature. This bill is a significant step towards protecting Arizona taxpayers from unchecked financial burdens while ensuring the legislature cannot shirk its sacred duty.”
The release from the longtime east valley legislator added that “by having a proper check and balance in place, the ballot referral will ensure that the state government is not permitted to make major financial decisions without first getting approval of two-thirds of the legislature, as the people intended. This measure will help restore fiscal accountability, halt government overreach, and protect taxpayers from unauthorized financial obligations.”
SCR 1009 will first be considered in the Arizona Senate. If it is successful in this chamber, the measure will move to the Arizona House of Representatives for consideration. If both the state Senate and House approve of this measure, SCR 1009 will be transmitted to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office for inclusion on the 2026 November General Election ballot, bypassing the Governor’s Office entirely.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 2, 2025 | Economy, News
By Daniel Stefanski |
An Arizona lawmaker has introduced a bill to solve the murky funding situation with the stadium of the hometown professional baseball franchise.
Last week, State Representative Jeff Weninger filed HB 2704 to “create a dedicated funding source needed to maintain Chase Field and keep it a world class facility for baseball and other events.” The proposal comes as the stadium lease for the Arizona Diamondbacks is set to run its course in 2027.
In a statement accompanying his press release, Weninger, the Chairman of the House Commerce Committee, said, “The Arizona Diamondbacks are an indispensable part of our state’s identify and economy. I’m proud to sponsor HB 2704, which provides a dedicated funding solution to renovate Chase Field and ensure the Diamondbacks remain right here in Arizona where they belong. With the departure of the Coyotes last year, it is more important than ever to take proactive steps to protect the future of our teams and the venues that make them possible.”
Representative Weninger added, “The Arizona Diamondbacks are a pillar of our community, and Chase Field has been a cornerstone of Arizona’s sports and entertainment scene for decades, welcoming millions of fans and creating unforgettable memories. That’s why there’s widespread interest in finding a sustainable solution. HB 2704 is a crucial step toward preserving Chase Field and ensuring it continues to be a world-class venue for generations to come.”
According to the information provided by Weninger’s release, HB 2704 “would recapture sales and income taxes associated with Chase Field and the Arizona Diamondbacks and direct them to a fund dedicated to repairing and maintaining the ballpark. The concept mirrors the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, which is responsible for the maintenance and funding of State Farm Stadium – the west valley home of the Arizona Cardinals. The Diamondbacks would also provide most funds necessary for the repairs required for the continued upkeep of their stadium.
The President, CEO, and General Partner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Derrick Hall, also released a statement to endorse Weninger’s bill and encourage its passage through the Arizona Legislature. He wrote, “We are thrilled with all the momentum and positivity surrounding this legislation. We greatly appreciate the hard work and commitment from all who are delivering this public-private partnership to save baseball at Chase Field. Our ballpark has provided memories to fans and their families for over 27 years, and we will now reestablish and maintain it as one of the premier venues in the game with this funding, and the hundreds of millions the team is committed to investing. This solution avoids any new taxes and demonstrates civic pride for a franchise that cherishes its role in creating jobs, impacting the economy, bettering the community, and providing an exciting product.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 1, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A bill to better protect Arizona’s domestic violence survivors recently passed its first hurdle in the state Legislature.
On Thursday, HB 2177, which was sponsored by State Representative Julie Willoughby, was approved by the Arizona House Appropriations Committee, allowing the proposal to hit the floor of the chamber for a vote from the full body in the near future. The legislation “allocates $400,000 from the state’s General Fund in Fiscal Year 2026 to the Address Confidentiality Program Fund, ensuring victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual offenses have greater access to vital protections.”
In a statement accompanying the announcement about the bill’s progress, Willoughby, the House Majority Whip, said, “The last thing survivors should have to worry about is their abuser finding them. This program gives them a way to shield their home address and regain some peace of mind. Strengthening it is not just necessary – it’s the right thing to do. We must make sure this program has the resources to continue providing safety and security for those who need it most.”
According to information provided by Willoughby’s release, the Address Confidentiality Program “allows survivors to use a substitute address for government records, protecting them from being tracked down through public documents;” [and] provides mail forwarding services to ensure participants can safely receive essential correspondence without revealing their actual location.”
HB 2177 was approved by all seventeen members of the committee who were present for that vote. One member was absent. On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, one member from the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence signed in to support the legislation.
The bill will soon be considered by the full body in the Arizona House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass and be transmitted to the state Senate for additional consideration.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jan 31, 2025 | Education, News
By Daniel Stefanski |
School funding is a hot topic at the Arizona Legislature as the 57th Regular Session prepares to launch into its second month.
Arizona lawmakers and the Governor’s Office are wrestling over the looming expiration date for Proposition 123, which has helped fund the state’s K-12 schools since it was established under the previous Ducey administration.
One legislator in particular, Senator J.D. Mesnard, noted this deadline in the weekly newsletter published by Arizona Senate Republicans, saying, “With a new session comes a new opportunity to work on bills that may not have reached the finish line in the year prior. As such, I’m again working on a Proposition 123 extension plan to send to the ballot. This measure was first approved by voters in 2016. It allows a larger percentage from the state land trust to be distributed to our K-12 schools. Prop. 123 is set to expire this summer. With this in mind, Republicans backfilled the money allocated each year to K-12 schools within the last state budget, nearly $300 million, so there are no disruptions to this funding stream.”
Mesnard added, “The new Prop. 123 I’m proposing would be additional dollars on top of what we backfilled. My colleagues and I would like this money to go directly to teacher pay raises, with a goal of each educator receiving an additional $4,000 annually. I will keep you posted on the progress of Proposition 123 as well as other commonsense legislation that will hopefully receive the Governor’s signature.”
In Governor Katie Hobbs’ recent State of the State address, she touched on the vital importance of Prop 123, saying, “We must address the impending expiration of Prop 123, which provides critical funding for public schools and teachers. Renewing it is essential. If we fail to act, we are throwing away an opportunity to fund teacher pay raises and give Arizona’s children the opportunity they deserve – all without raising taxes on a single Arizonan. When Prop 123 originally passed, it was a bipartisan success and proved that Republicans and Democrats could come together and do the right thing for our students, teachers, and parents. So let’s put our kids first again and provide the certainty they and our schools need. Let’s address the Aggregate Expenditure Limit to make sure schools stay open. Let’s pass a Prop 123 extension to fund our schools without raising taxes.”
Following the Governor’s speech to both chambers of the Arizona Legislature, Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope offered one of the Republican responses to her proposal. He said, “We will take action to equip our K-12 schools with quality educators at the front of every classroom by using a Proposition 123 renewal to increase teacher pay above the national average.”
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has also weighed in on the Prop 123 debate. Earlier this month, he posted, “We must renew Prop 123 and increase the income from the land trust, which is overflowing with money, to increase teacher salaries.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
