The Grand Canyon State continues to raise eyebrows, this time with its traditionally tax-averse electorate choosing to raise taxes.
On July 1, Arizona shoppers will pay a 6.6 percent sales tax on most purchases. The 1-cent increase will last for three years,
Republican Gov. Jan Brewer's support of the tax increase had been seen
by many as political suicide.
Twenty challengers have signed up to face her in the August GOP
primary, but with approval of the sales tax increase that's like to change. Brewer can now argue that she did what the majority of Arizona voters, or at least the majority on May 18, wanted,
If the sales tax hike, which is expected to raise $1 billion a year, had failed, lawmakers had more budget cuts ready to go. Those legislative threats of additional funding cuts, especially in public education, seemed to sway voters.
On more local levels, however, anti-tax advocates were more successful.
While the statewide sales tax increase was widely accepted by Arizona voters, three of four municipal tax hikes also on ballots failed.
Related posts:
- Arizona sales tax, other ballot initiatives preview
- What government services would you give up for a lower tax bill?
- This is why I hate ballot referenda
- Proposition 13, still popular after 30 years
- State Tax Departments
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