The simple fact is, Arizona does not need to raise taxes. Two weeks ago the Arizona Senate Appropriates Committee proved just that – they passed a balanced budget with no tax hikes.  In fact, Sen. Pearce stated earlier today that he expects the budget to be completed this week – without a tax hike. Yet the Governor’s office remains determined to force tax hikes down the throats of unwilling taxpayers – in the middle of a recession no less!

 

Cloistered up in the exclusive Executive Tower at the state capitol, Gov. Brewer might not be in touch with Arizona residents, but the polls are clear - taxpayers overwhelmingly oppose these tax hikes.  In fact, if even voters in ever-blue California recently rejected tax-hikes by a 2-1 margin when put to the ballot, to think such a proposition would succeed in Arizona is pure madness.

                      

It is evident that an allegedly conservative Governor’s office has been hijacked by the spending interests.  If Arizona were to go to a 6.6 percent state sales tax, this would give it the seventh highest rate in the nation. What’s more, the combined state and local tax rates in 30 Arizona cities would surpass 10 percent - the same rates as residents of San Francisco and New York are forced to endure.

 

Arizona taxpayers must stand up to the tax-and-spend lobbyists who want to hike taxes just to pad their own wallets. Call your legislator and tell them to oppose all tax hikes!

Tim - Where did you find this picture?? It's fabulous!
>> lcluiss Monday, June 1, 2009 1:27 PM

We need grassroots activists to make sure that news about Arizona gets out. Recent CA legislation shows that the informed American taxpayer does not approve of these tax hikes. Politicians need to know that average Joe says no.
>> Conservative Tom Monday, June 1, 2009 2:40 PM

Listening to your constituency should be your primary concern, Gov. Brewer. Get in touch with your voters, or else say goodbye to another term. Are recalls allowed in Arizona? If they are, I say Arizona voters should pull a Gray-Davis-recall and throw him out of office.
>> Brewer Stinks Monday, June 1, 2009 2:46 PM

An unfortunate trend in governments at all levels - accountability for spending becomes less important when tax increases remain an attractive option to elected officials. There is little incentive to trim the budget when a deficit can be repaired by higher taxes. And since taxes are compulsory, the public often has little recourse.
>> AAD Monday, June 1, 2009 5:41 PM

As long as some remain more committed to attacking members of their own party rather than the Democratic Party, it will be a losing campaign for the Republicans. Decisions made out of Fear are rarely rational and typically create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Raising Taxes out of Fear that the electorate will reject them if they balance the budget through spending cuts alone will result in a Democratic takeover of both the Governorship AND the Legislature in 2010. To all of the panty-waist, cowardly, liberal Republicans: be warned. If you blow this opportunity to help reverse Arizona's unsustainable spending spree, you will be out of power for a very, very long time.
>> Dutch Monday, June 1, 2009 8:03 PM