Arizona Tax Research Association
The Herald
PHOENIX — Arizona lawmakers voted Tuesday to prevent the return of a suspended property tax.
The 16-14 Senate vote to repeal the levy came over the objections of two Republicans who chided colleagues for renouncing future revenues even before they know how they will finance the state’s needs.
“Call me silly, call me crazy,” said Sen. Carolyn Allen, R-Scottsdale. “But it doesn’t seem very prudent to me without the long big picture of knowing what this budget and what we’re going to be asked to do, to dump another $250 million on top of it with no plan.’’
The 16-14 Senate vote to repeal the levy came over the objections of two Republicans who chided colleagues for renouncing future revenues even before they know how they will finance the state’s needs.
“Call me silly, call me crazy,” said Sen. Carolyn Allen, R-Scottsdale. “But it doesn’t seem very prudent to me without the long big picture of knowing what this budget and what we’re going to be asked to do, to dump another $250 million on top of it with no plan.’’
Arizona Daily Star
PHOENIX — A business-backed Republican bill to permanently repeal a suspended state property tax has squeaked through the Arizona House with one vote to spare.
The House approved the repeal bill Tuesday on a 32-28 vote largely along party lines. It takes a minimum of 31 votes for the 60-member House to pass a bill.
The bill now goes to the Senate. The chief sponsor of that chamber’s version has acknowledged a Senate vote also would be a cliffhanger.
The House approved the repeal bill Tuesday on a 32-28 vote largely along party lines. It takes a minimum of 31 votes for the 60-member House to pass a bill.
The bill now goes to the Senate. The chief sponsor of that chamber’s version has acknowledged a Senate vote also would be a cliffhanger.
The Arizona Republic
Dramatic fluctuations in the real-estate market in recent years have caused considerable unrest among property taxpayers across Arizona.
Beginning in 2005, the Arizona real-estate market skyrocketed, particularly in the residential-housing market. As they are constitutionally required, county assessors responded to the market by increasing property valuations for property-tax purposes. In Maricopa County, residential properties increased 60 percent in most cases.
Beginning in 2005, the Arizona real-estate market skyrocketed, particularly in the residential-housing market. As they are constitutionally required, county assessors responded to the market by increasing property valuations for property-tax purposes. In Maricopa County, residential properties increased 60 percent in most cases.
The Arizona Republic
Valley homeowners upset about the fast rise in their property-tax assessments may feel some relief this year as the latest valuation notices hit their mailboxes.
The Maricopa County Assessor's Office says the new round of valuations to be mailed around Feb. 1 will reflect the slump in the housing market. The office, however, would not disclose specifics and emphasized that not all property owners will see a decline in assessed value. Some neighborhoods have held values better through the downturn.
The Maricopa County Assessor's Office says the new round of valuations to be mailed around Feb. 1 will reflect the slump in the housing market. The office, however, would not disclose specifics and emphasized that not all property owners will see a decline in assessed value. Some neighborhoods have held values better through the downturn.
Arizona Capitol Times
A group seeking changes in Arizona’s tax system through a ballot initiative has printed 15,000 copies each of its two petitions and distributed most of them to its coordinators, according to initiative organizer Marc Goldstone.
Volunteers of the Arizona Tax Revolt have begun collecting signatures in their neighborhoods, but few are stationed in front of stores because of the heat, Goldstone said.
Volunteers of the Arizona Tax Revolt have begun collecting signatures in their neighborhoods, but few are stationed in front of stores because of the heat, Goldstone said.
The Indianapolis Star
Indiana legislators return to the Statehouse on Tuesday to find a way to permanently cut property taxes without strangling essential government services.
If they're successful, Indiana could be the first state to come up with an answer to the problem of rising property taxes and the rising costs facing government -- issues every state is struggling to address.
The issue is expected to take center stage on the General Assembly's Organization Day on Tuesday and during the next legislative session, which starts in early January.
If they're successful, Indiana could be the first state to come up with an answer to the problem of rising property taxes and the rising costs facing government -- issues every state is struggling to address.
The issue is expected to take center stage on the General Assembly's Organization Day on Tuesday and during the next legislative session, which starts in early January.
Arizona Capitol Times
Kevin McCarthy, President of the Arizona Tax Research Association, said his rough estimate is that the initiative proposed by Prop 13 Arizona will cut real property taxes by half.
"Obviously, it would have huge impact on our state and local public finance system," he said. McCarthy said he is sympathetic to the initiative's organizers. "I think it would be wise for the state legislature and the governor to also take notice that there is considerable unrest out there with property taxpayers," he said.
"Obviously, it would have huge impact on our state and local public finance system," he said. McCarthy said he is sympathetic to the initiative's organizers. "I think it would be wise for the state legislature and the governor to also take notice that there is considerable unrest out there with property taxpayers," he said.
The Arizona Republic
More than half the 22 school districts that were asking voters for additional money were stunned Tuesday by a possible taxpayer backlash after voters rejected budget overrides to keep class sizes low and pay teacher salaries.
A majority of the school districts were asking for the continuation of budget overrides that have been in place for more than 20 years and were expected to keep the tax rate the same. Overrides are considered for approval by voters every seven years.
A majority of the school districts were asking for the continuation of budget overrides that have been in place for more than 20 years and were expected to keep the tax rate the same. Overrides are considered for approval by voters every seven years.
The Arizona Republic
Hoping to capitalize on homeowners' angst over rising property-tax bills, another citizens group is targeting the tax with a Proposition 13-style initiative planned for the 2008 state ballot.
Calling itself Prop 13 Arizona, the group filed language Monday for an initiative modeled after its California namesake. The measure would roll back property valuations, for tax purposes, and institute strict limits on future value increases and tax bills.
Calling itself Prop 13 Arizona, the group filed language Monday for an initiative modeled after its California namesake. The measure would roll back property valuations, for tax purposes, and institute strict limits on future value increases and tax bills.
Yuma Sun
The large increase many Yuma County residents are seeing on their 2007 property tax statement is the result of a combination of increased home valuation from two years ago and having to pay more for voter-approved bond measures, according to county officials.
County Treasurer Karen Fritz explained that while no new bond measures appeared on a taxpayer's statement this year, and some tax rates actually went down, most homeowners are still having to pay more due to higher property valuations.
County Treasurer Karen Fritz explained that while no new bond measures appeared on a taxpayer's statement this year, and some tax rates actually went down, most homeowners are still having to pay more due to higher property valuations.