http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/knau/local-knau-884507.mp3
Phoenix, AZ – The levy would raise more than $950 million this coming budget
year and close to $1.1 billion in its third year. That idea drew
fire from both sides of the political aisle. Democrat Daniel
Patterson said the state does need more money. But he said higher
sales taxes are the wrong way to go.
(This takes more money out of the pockets of the people that can
least afford it. And this is the vast majority of all of our
constituents, average working people, middle class people, who
will feel a disproportionate hit from this unfair approach.)
And Republican John Kavanagh said higher taxes will result in
less money in the economy, more layoffs and more people needing
government services the state can't afford. But Republican
Michele Reagan supported sending the issue to the ballot because
the real decision has to be made by voters.
(And if this fails on the ballot -- and I personally, my own
opinion, believe it will fail on the ballot -- then they're
telling us they want to see smaller government. And I think we
need that direction right now. I think the fight needs to be
moved away from the House and the Senate. And it needs to be
taken to the people who really count and really matter.)
The measure will go to voters May 18 since the Senate approved
the plan earlier this week. For Arizona Public Radio this is
Howard Fischer.