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August 15th
AFT's 2006 Legislative
Report Card: Scores Down Overall, Despite Tax-Cut Victories
PHOENIX—On the 22nd annual
Legislative Scorecard from the Arizona Federation of Taxpayers (AFT), Sen.
Ron Gould (R-Lake Havasu) earned the high score of 90 percent, making him
AFT’s first-ever “Hero of the Taxpayer” and earning him AFT’s Barry M.
Goldwater Legislator of the Year award for the second year in a row. Rep.
Olivia Cajero Bedford (D-Tucson) sank to the bottom of the report card with a
score of six percent, earning her what AFT calls the “Lenin Prize” for the
“most socialist” legislator. Cajero Bedford is one of three “Heroes of Big
Government” who earned less than ten percent.
Last year’s lowest scorer, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Phoenix), won “Most
Improved” by rising 22 places in rank. Phoenix Sen. Ken Cheuvront was once
again the highest-scoring Democratic legislator, beating five Republicans.
For the second year in a row, Scottsdale Sen. Carolyn Allen was the
lowest-scoring Republican, with a score of 32 percent. Meanwhile, Gov. Janet
Napolitano’s score fell only slightly, from 38 percent to 36 percent, making
her a “Friend of Big Government.”
Overall scores were down this year, with the Republican average falling from
72 percent (“Friend of the Taxpayer”) to 62 percent (“Ally of the Taxpayer”).
The Democrats’ average fell from 27 percent to 20 percent, solidifying their
status as “Champions of Big Government.”
AFT officers attributed much of the fall in scores to the $10.1 billion
budget agreement, which will cause Arizona’s general fund expenditures to
grow by 20 percent, almost three times the rate of growth of Arizonans’
personal income (what AFT believes is a moderate standard of budget growth),
and almost four times as fast as trendline growth in population plus
inflation (AFT’s “conservative standard” of budget growth). The upsides of the
session included a combined total of roughly $500 million per year in income
and property tax cuts, and the creation and expansion of several school
choice programs. The scorecard evaluated 196 bills impacting taxation,
spending and regulation, with bills weighted according to their significance
to the Arizona economy.
AFT’s annual awards luncheon is scheduled for mid-November.
To view the AFT Report Card, click here.
August 11th
Because we liked the quote
The federal budget includes
a vast array of programs within hundreds of agencies. But when boiled down, government
spending consists of just five basic activities: paying workers, buying goods
and services, transferring wealth to favored groups, subsidizing state and
local governments, and paying interest on debt.
August 10th
Allen-Rosatti race
named one of the hottest primaries.
From the AZ Republic:
For one, much is
at stake. Republicans are just a few seats, two in the Senate, one in the
House, from acquiring a veto proof majority that would blunt the governor's
most effective weapon. Democrats would like to build on their 2004 state
successes by gaining a few seats, especially in the House.
And while the 2006 primary hasn't yet matched the intensity of the primary
two years ago, some key races loom large. At the top of that list is the GOP
tempest in Scottsdale's
Senate District 8...
Rosati, however, doesn't see her candidacy that way. For her, it's simpler:
"I believe voters are fed up with higher taxes and politicians who waste
our tax dollars."…
The race could come down to 300 votes or less, said committee chairman Chad
Kirkpatrick, adding, "We're really expecting this is going to be a lot
closer than some people think."
July 5th
The PAC’s first
victory: Jayne off of Ballot, Carolyn Allen next
Group promoting tax cuts targets Allen's re-election
The Arizona Republic
SCOTTSDALE - A group that pushes for tax cuts
announced Wednesday that it would work to defeat state Sen. Carolyn Allen,
R-Scottsdale, in her re-election bid.
Calling Allen a "friend of big government," the Arizona Taxpayer
Action Committee endorsed Allen's opponent, state Rep. Collette Rosati,
R-Scottsdale, in the Sept. 12 Republican primary.
Both represent Legislative District 8, which covers most of Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and Rio Verde.
"Carolyn Allen opposed all major tax-cut initiatives this year,"
Chad Kirkpatrick, the group's chairman, said in a statement. "We need to
replace Allen with a low-tax, pro-economic growth state senator."
The group criticized Allen's opposition to a property tax cut in the most
recent legislative session, saying high taxes were stifling economic growth.
The group helped to scuttle the candidacy of Republican Clancy Jayne, who was
seeking the House seat in District 6.
June 1st
AFT announces a new
Political Action Committee
To defend Arizona’s
economy, the Arizona Taxpayer Action Committee (ATAC) will be supporting
candidates who will advance a limited government, pro-economic growth
agenda. ATAC is currently identifying which legislative candidates to
support, paying particular attention to races where a big government liberal
is challenged by a strong, free market individual. Supported candidates will
be announced this summer.
Email us for more information.
March 27th
Government regulations add 23% to
the cost of a new home. A new report by policy analyst
Randal O’Toole estimates that government planners have added $37,000 to the cost of
median homes in Tucson, $55,000 in Phoenix, and $72,000 in Flagstaff.
The report notes that these estimates are conservative and the real costs
could be 25 percent more.
This is a gigantic hidden tax on Arizona homebuyers.
And as Arizona homeowners know, higher
home prices mean higher assessed values and higher property taxes.
Visit the American Dream Coalition for more details.
March 22nd
Major tax relief bills pass the first the first hurdle. The AZ House of Representatives has passed
HB 2489, the Taxpayer Appreciation and Investment Act. This is a $400 million income tax cut
phased in over two years.
The Arizona Senate passed SB
1289, the County Education Property Tax cut, a $200 million tax relief
package, and SCR 1025, a Two-Percent Limit on
Property Valuation Increases, similar to California’s
prop. 13.
The next step is for the
legislature to reconcile all three versions, then send a package to the
Governor to sign.
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