Wash. Special Interest Lobbyist gives AZ Legislators okay to vote for sales tax increase
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Legislators who signed the “no new tax” pledge (which AEN views as a conflict with the Arizona constitution – see below) received an okay from Washington anti-tax lobbyist Grover Norquist to vote for the Arizona appropriations budget containing the 1 cent temporary sales tax increase. The permanent repeal of the state equalization tax ($250 million) and the proposed 30% cut in the corporate tax rate and the 6.6% cut in individual income taxes in 2011 is seen as a “net positive” that outweighs the temporary sales tax increase. To read more about the influence of Washington special interest lobbyist Grover Norquist on the Arizona Budget, click the article below.
‘No Tax’ Leader OK with hike on ballot pledge by AZ GOP Reversed, Arizona Daily Star, August 8, 2009
Tax for in DC casts long shadow over legislature, Arizona Daily Star, August 23, 2009
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For full discussion of Public Education, the Arizona Constitutional and the “No New Tax Pledge,” click here.
This is absolutely unbelievable. I read the article from the Tucson Paper, plus the the constitution article you all wrote. How in the world can this be taking place?!?! How are our legislators, sworn to uphold the constitution, and elected by the people of Arizona–allow an big city special interest lobbying group to dictate to them how they should/shouldn’t vote?!?!
“Calgon, take me away!” Well, for starters, I am delighted to see that these fine men ‘asked’ for advice on this critical matter. (joking!) Tell me that you are all kidding me here! How will Arizona ever ‘grow up’ as a state when our lawmakers have to be coached and approved through their decision making process?