Arizona Tax Research Association
The Arizona Republic
Arizona has one of the most complicated property-tax systems in the nation. It’s the only state that taxes two tiers of valuations, something that confuses many homeowners.
Backers of Proposition 117 want to simplify the system and protect homeowners from big swings in taxes caused by ups and downs in home values.
Known as the Arizona Property Tax Assessed Valuation Amendment, the measure would limit property taxes to no more than a 5 percent annual increase on only assessed values.
Backers of Proposition 117 want to simplify the system and protect homeowners from big swings in taxes caused by ups and downs in home values.
Known as the Arizona Property Tax Assessed Valuation Amendment, the measure would limit property taxes to no more than a 5 percent annual increase on only assessed values.
The Arizona Republic
What we're looking at
The Yes on 117 Campaign issued a media release stating that all the contributions that the Truth and Concerns on Prop 117 group has received have been from property-tax consulting firms.
The comment
"All of the (Truth and Concerns on Prop 117) contributions that were finally reported today are from the property-tax consultants."
The forum
A media release issued Oct. 25, 2012, by the Yes on 117 Campaign.
Analysis
The Yes on 117 Campaign issued a media release stating that all the contributions that the Truth and Concerns on Prop 117 group has received have been from property-tax consulting firms.
The comment
"All of the (Truth and Concerns on Prop 117) contributions that were finally reported today are from the property-tax consultants."
The forum
A media release issued Oct. 25, 2012, by the Yes on 117 Campaign.
Analysis
The Arizona Republic
Kevin McCarthy and Lynne Weaver agree on pretty much only one thing about Proposition 117: There is nothing in the constitutional language that forces down property taxes.
In fact, there’s nothing there that precludes tax from going up — again, legally.
But McCarthy, president of the business-oriented Arizona Tax Research Association, said he believes Proposition 117 really will keep property taxes down, if for no other reason than politics: Elected officials are afraid of angering voters.
In fact, there’s nothing there that precludes tax from going up — again, legally.
But McCarthy, president of the business-oriented Arizona Tax Research Association, said he believes Proposition 117 really will keep property taxes down, if for no other reason than politics: Elected officials are afraid of angering voters.
Yuma Sun
PHOENIX — Kevin McCarthy and Lynne Weaver agree on pretty much only one thing about Proposition 117: There is nothing in the constitutional language that forces down property taxes.
In fact, there's nothing there that precludes tax hikes — again, legally.
But McCarthy, president of the business-oriented Arizona Tax Research Association, said it will do that, if for no other reason than politics: Elected officials are afraid of angering voters.
Weaver, who is trying to get an actual property tax cap enacted, disagrees.
In fact, there's nothing there that precludes tax hikes — again, legally.
But McCarthy, president of the business-oriented Arizona Tax Research Association, said it will do that, if for no other reason than politics: Elected officials are afraid of angering voters.
Weaver, who is trying to get an actual property tax cap enacted, disagrees.
The Arizona Republic
Various factors have caused the tax rate in the Gilbert Public Schools district to jump 40 percent this year, the highest increase in at least 30 years.
Despite the jump, district officials assert that the actual total tax rate of $7.20 per $100 of assessed valuation is $3 less than the highest rates in 1995 and 1997, when the rates were between $10.45 and $10.40 per $100 of assessed valuation, respectively. The rate increase affects property owners in those portions of Gilbert and Mesa that are within the district's boundaries.
Despite the jump, district officials assert that the actual total tax rate of $7.20 per $100 of assessed valuation is $3 less than the highest rates in 1995 and 1997, when the rates were between $10.45 and $10.40 per $100 of assessed valuation, respectively. The rate increase affects property owners in those portions of Gilbert and Mesa that are within the district's boundaries.
The Arizona Republic
I used to be a purist when it comes to property taxation. All property should be on the rolls at its market value. That's the only way to ensure an equitable distribution of the tax burden.
I scoffed at those who wanted to limit the increase in property values, equating that to increases in taxation. Values are just about distributing the burden, I would confidently assert. The size of the burden is determined by spending decisions and property-tax rates. Concentrate on controlling them.
I scoffed at those who wanted to limit the increase in property values, equating that to increases in taxation. Values are just about distributing the burden, I would confidently assert. The size of the burden is determined by spending decisions and property-tax rates. Concentrate on controlling them.
The Bugle
Editor:
Lynne Weaver's characterization of Proposition 117, of which I was the prime sponsor in referring to the ballot, was inaccurate on a number of counts and begs for a rebuttal. While I can appreciate Ms. Weaver's frustration in her repeated failures to gain support for her version of California's Proposition 13, she damages her credibility by suggesting that Proposition 117 is not good for property taxpayers.
Lynne Weaver's characterization of Proposition 117, of which I was the prime sponsor in referring to the ballot, was inaccurate on a number of counts and begs for a rebuttal. While I can appreciate Ms. Weaver's frustration in her repeated failures to gain support for her version of California's Proposition 13, she damages her credibility by suggesting that Proposition 117 is not good for property taxpayers.
The Bugle
Editor:
A letter to the editor by Jeff Nolan was recently published describing his opposition to Prop 117. It's interesting that Mr. Nolan did not disclose in his letter that he is a property tax consultant in the Phoenix area.
A letter to the editor by Jeff Nolan was recently published describing his opposition to Prop 117. It's interesting that Mr. Nolan did not disclose in his letter that he is a property tax consultant in the Phoenix area.
Verde Independent
Editor:
In your July 12, 2012 edition, reporter Steve Ayers gave an unfavorable review of Proposition 117, which is on the November General Election ballot. Mr. Ayers suggested that any fifth grader with basic math skills could understand that Prop 117 won’t be good for taxpayers. While Mr. Ayers accurately described the simple mathematical calculation for determining property tax rates, adults who actually pay property taxes know he glossed over the real story.
In your July 12, 2012 edition, reporter Steve Ayers gave an unfavorable review of Proposition 117, which is on the November General Election ballot. Mr. Ayers suggested that any fifth grader with basic math skills could understand that Prop 117 won’t be good for taxpayers. While Mr. Ayers accurately described the simple mathematical calculation for determining property tax rates, adults who actually pay property taxes know he glossed over the real story.
Arizona Capitol Times
A coalition headed by an influential fiscal policy think tank submitted paperwork today to launch a campaign in support of a ballot measure that caps the growth of property values in Arizona.
The campaign, called “Yes on 117,” is headed by Kevin McCarthy, who is president of the Arizona Tax Research Association.
The campaign group’s treasurer is Bas Aja, a lobbyist for the Arizona Cattlemen’s Association.
The campaign, called “Yes on 117,” is headed by Kevin McCarthy, who is president of the Arizona Tax Research Association.
The campaign group’s treasurer is Bas Aja, a lobbyist for the Arizona Cattlemen’s Association.