Property Tax

East Valley Tribune
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
Editorial
Arizona 's business community has long complained that the state's property tax system places a disproportionate and unfair burden on commercial establishments, but its calls for change have brought no relief from the Legislature. Now the Arizona Tax Research Association, which represents the interests of many of the state's large employers, wants to ask voters for reform through a state constitutional amendment.
Capitol Media Services
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
Howard Fischer
The two most powerful lawmakers on issues of tax policy want to tap the state’s anticipated revenue surplus — eventually up to $200 million a year — to reduce what businesses pay in property taxes. Sen. Dean Martin, R-Phoenix, and Rep. Steve Huffman, R-Tucson, are crafting legislation for the upcoming session to reduce the tax burden on businesses.
East Valley Tribune
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Le Templar
An association of large business taxpayers wants to amend the state constitution to require future local government bond proposals and budget overrides to be approved by two-thirds of voters instead of a simple majority. The Arizona Tax Research Association said the amendment might be the only way to resolve a perceived unfairness that business property tax assessment ratios are 2 1/2 times higher than ratios for residential property tax.
East Valley Tribune
Sunday, December 14, 2003
Howard Fischer
An Arizona mining company is trying to kill the main constitutional protection for homeowners against high property taxes. Asarco is asking Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Yarnell to void a voter-approved provision of the state Constitution, which limits primary property taxes to no more than 1 percent of a home’s full cash value. That translates to a primary tax rate for homeowners of no more than $10 per $100 of assessed value.
The Arizona Republic
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Christina Leonard
Arizona property owners paid $334 million more in property taxes this year compared with last year, shattering the one-year growth record set in 2000, a recent analysis showsMuch of the increase came from new construction. Maricopa County alone experienced $1.4 billion in new taxable property last year. But a substantial amount of growth came from the average 7 to 8 percent increase in the value of existing homes.
Arizona Capitol Times
Thursday, October 3, 2002
Grant Smith
Calling business property taxes a major threat to the state’s economic stability, three organizations are asking the Legislature for a change in the tax system. “The single greatest imbalance in Arizona’s tax system is the extreme burden placed on business property,” said a paper presented by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce State Budget Committee to the Legislature’s Tax Reform for Arizona Citizens Committee meeting on Sept. 23.
The Arizona Republic
Friday, July 19, 2002
Robert Robb
The best political brawl in Arizona has broken out in an unlikely place: the Republican primary for secretary of state. The chief antagonist is former Phoenix Councilman Sal DiCiccio. DiCiccio, 44, is a modern-era political entrepreneur. He has spent most of his adult life either holding or running for office, or helping others do so.
Capitol Media Services
Thursday, February 7, 2002
Howard Fischer
State lawmakers are taking the first tentative steps toward reducing the property tax burden on business. Virtually all lawmakers agree the property tax structure is unfair. But the concept faces an uncertain future because of one simple fact: It would shift the cost of future bond issues and overrides from businesses to homeowners and apartment dwellers. And lawmakers realize that this is an election year, and businesses do not vote.
East Valley Tribune
Thursday, February 7, 2002
Editorial
News that property values are rising throughout the East Valley — in some areas dramatically so — should bring smiles to many homeowners' faces. It's one of the few investments that have been going up instead of down in recent years. But the news also will bring smiles to many local government officials — and not for reasons that will please owners of homes and businesses. Rising property values make it easier to slip property-tax increases past taxpayers.
East Valley Tribune
Sunday, July 15, 2001
Last years growth in statewide property tax levies broke a state record. The $289 million dollar increase, or 8.1 percent, drove total levies to $3.9 billion statewide.