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Recent Publications

  • $2.4 Billion in K12 School Bonds on November Ballots - Electioneering Moves into Publicity Pamphlets
  • City Budgets Maintain Strong Growth Trend Leading into FY 2025
  • Fire District Levies Climb 6.6% in FY25
  • State & Local Debt Nears $38 Billion in FY 2023
  • State & Local Government Salaries Climb - K12 Salaries up 44%
  • $2.4 Billion in K12 Bonds on November Ballots
  • In Memoriam Dick Foreman
  • Phoenix Expands CBD - Signals GPLET Ramp Up
  • SAVE THE DATES: ATRA Outlook Conference & Golf Tournament
  • Two Counties Asking Voters for Increases in Constitutional Expenditure Limits
  • Community College FY 2025 Budgets up 3.6%; Audited FTSE up 1.1%
  • Legislature Adjourns After Closing State Budget Deficit
  • Major Property Tax Judgment to Hit Maricopa Taxpayers This Fall
  • Auditor General Audits Raise Serious Concerns
  • Governor Signs TPT Audit Bill
  • Governor Vetoes GPLET Reform
  • Pinal County Transportation Sales Tax Refund Update
  • Teacher Pay Climbs to 31st Nationally

ATRA in the News

Tucson Sentinel
Jerod MacDonald-Evoy

A Republican bill that would rein in a controversial tax break used by municipalities to entice large development projects that cities say they need is one step closer to being sent to the governor’s desk. 
https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/031324_municipal_tax_breaks…

AZ Mirror
Jerod MacDonald-Evoy

Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, wants to reduce the amount of time a property can receive a Government Property Lease Excise Tax, or GPLET for short, from eight years down to four years.

“Make no mistake about it…the underlying policy questions still remain and will remain after this bill,” McCarthy said, adding that the tool allows for cities to pick “winners and losers” in economic development.

State Press Magazine
This system is detrimental to local government funding, especially toward K-12 education, since it relies on property taxes and voter support for overrides, McCarthy said. Overrides allow increases in property taxes that exceed the normal limits.

“The cost of the override is higher than it should be,” McCarthy said. “The more the taxpayers figure out the game that’s being played, that they’re paying taxes and other people aren’t, it undermines the legitimacy of the whole operation.”