Indecent Proposals: No Winners so Far in Arizona Budget Marathon

Summary

---

Legislative leaders from both parties were guardedly optimistic they would reach an agreement when they began negotiating a solution to the fiscal 2010 deficit with the governor last month, and even when it appeared the talks were faltering, some saw hope as long as the parties kept talking.

But they hit the wall on a familiar issue, one that not only divided the parties but also caused dissent among Republicans and among Democrats last year.

See the full content of this document

Extract

---

Indecent Proposals: No Winners so Far in Arizona Budget Marathon

This year, the gulf separating Democrats and Republicans over the issue of repealing the $250-million state equalization tax was simply too wide to be bridged.

Democrats wanted the property tax to come back - technically, it already has - so the state can use the revenue to offset cuts to education and other programs.

Republicans wanted it repealed.

The clash is primarily ideological. Republicans believe cutting taxes during recession would help steer the economy back to growth.

Democrats argue that the state cannot afford to give away a ...

See the full content of this document

---