State Capitol News

Phoenix, AZ – The measure crafted by House Speaker Kirk Adams includes a 28
percent cut in corporate income taxes, slicing individual income
tax rates by 10 percent across the board and eliminating the
state property tax. The report by the nonpartisan legislative
budget staff estimates when the plan is fully implemented the net
reduction in dollars is close to $942 million a year. But Adams
said that figure is misleading because it doesn't consider the
impact that lower taxes will have in creating new jobs.

Phoenix, AZ – Current law says a divorce decree can be granted in as few as 60
days after the other spouse is served with the legal papers. This
legislation would extend that out to 180 days, along with some
new requirements on what would have to be taught to couples with
children. Deborah Sheasby, lobbyist for the Center for Arizona
Policy, said the state has a legitimate interest in preserving
marriage.

Phoenix, AZ – Antenori is sponsoring legislation which would make any form of
public assistance off limits to those who smoke or drink. He said
the purpose of the bill is not to punish people.

Phoenix, AZ – Some of that will come from Republicans like Carl Seel.

(Clearly, we don't need a tax increase. At this time in our
economy, we're going to oppose to do, put a burden of over $900
million on the citizenry of this great state at a time when
people are losing their jobs? I think not.)

Phoenix, AZ – Brewer has been pretty much the lone drum-beater for the plan to
hike the state sales tax by a penny to help balance the budget
for the next three years. The governor got her wish Thursday with
the final vote to put the question on the ballot. But Brewer said
if the referendum fails it's not a rejection of her.

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.