Unemployment
AZ Needs Comprehensive Budget Strategy
September 01 2009 09:41
By Rep. Steve Montenegro (R-Legislative District 12)
Arizona’s unemployment rate is the highest it has been since 1983, with the private sector sustaining the second-highest job loss in the nation, second to only Michigan. Arizona families and businesses continue to struggle to make ends meet, while government leaders toil to find a solution to get the state moving in the right direction again.
Arizona Republican lawmakers understand we cannot cut the state budget or raise taxes enough to revive the economy. The only solution is to develop a pro-business, job creating, economic growth package that allows the state to emerge successfully from this economic downturn.
Legislators from both sides of the aisle agree on one thing: Arizona’s economy needs to turn around and start working for the citizens in this state once again. However, we are somewhat less agreeable on how to deliver that recovery.
The state’s Democrats want to expand the tax base, increase government spending and consistently vote against a responsible balanced budget package. Whereas, Republican lawmakers think the answer to fixing our economy is found in a comprehensive tax reform plan designed to stimulate job creation and attract businesses to the state.
Our plan begins with the passage of a responsible, balanced budget that works to bring government state spending in-line with actual revenues. Arizona’s spending exponentially expanded during the Napolitano years and is now unsustainable.
The budget plan sent to the Governor has been criticized for inclusion of a tax reduction package even though it benefits individuals and businesses. Opponents of our tax plan would like voters to believe it’s a $650 million give-away in tax cuts to corporations and special interests. Not true.
In order to have a robust economy, solid pro-growth policies must be implemented. No other state in the nation is focused on growing out of the recession. Taking more from taxpayers in a recession is a recipe for disaster and does not create an environment for recovery or job growth.
If passed, Arizona’s tax package would be a major pro-growth package to support Arizona jobs, businesses, and economic activity. Specifically, our plan will:
Repeal the State Equalization Property Tax providing $250M in property tax relief to residential and business property taxpayers in FY10 and beyond;
Reduce the assessment ratio for secondary property tax on commercial property from 20% to 16% beginning Tax Year 2012;
Permanently reduce the Corporate rate from 6.968% to 4.86% ($200 million total), moving Arizona from the 23rd most competitive state to 7th best in the nation, bypassing states such as Utah, Florida, and Virginia, starting Tax Year 2011; and
Permanently cut Arizona’s Individual Income Tax rates across the board by 7% ($200 million total); every taxpayer will receive a 7% income tax reduction starting Tax Year 2011.
Our tax package incorporates pro-job tax reductions designed to encourage Arizona businesses to expand operations, create jobs and restart economic growth; as well as, create a pro-business environment to entice people and businesses from neighboring states and across the nation to come to Arizona to set up businesses.
Rep. Steve Montenegro from District 12 represents the cities of Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Surprise, Glendale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Avondale, West Phoenix and Waddel. Contact Rep. Montenegro at 602-926-5955 or via email at smontenegro@azleg.gov.
Arizona’s unemployment rate is the highest it has been since 1983, with the private sector sustaining the second-highest job loss in the nation, second to only Michigan. Arizona families and businesses continue to struggle to make ends meet, while government leaders toil to find a solution to get the state moving in the right direction again.
Arizona Republican lawmakers understand we cannot cut the state budget or raise taxes enough to revive the economy. The only solution is to develop a pro-business, job creating, economic growth package that allows the state to emerge successfully from this economic downturn.
Legislators from both sides of the aisle agree on one thing: Arizona’s economy needs to turn around and start working for the citizens in this state once again. However, we are somewhat less agreeable on how to deliver that recovery.
The state’s Democrats want to expand the tax base, increase government spending and consistently vote against a responsible balanced budget package. Whereas, Republican lawmakers think the answer to fixing our economy is found in a comprehensive tax reform plan designed to stimulate job creation and attract businesses to the state.
Our plan begins with the passage of a responsible, balanced budget that works to bring government state spending in-line with actual revenues. Arizona’s spending exponentially expanded during the Napolitano years and is now unsustainable.
The budget plan sent to the Governor has been criticized for inclusion of a tax reduction package even though it benefits individuals and businesses. Opponents of our tax plan would like voters to believe it’s a $650 million give-away in tax cuts to corporations and special interests. Not true.
In order to have a robust economy, solid pro-growth policies must be implemented. No other state in the nation is focused on growing out of the recession. Taking more from taxpayers in a recession is a recipe for disaster and does not create an environment for recovery or job growth.
If passed, Arizona’s tax package would be a major pro-growth package to support Arizona jobs, businesses, and economic activity. Specifically, our plan will:
Repeal the State Equalization Property Tax providing $250M in property tax relief to residential and business property taxpayers in FY10 and beyond;
Reduce the assessment ratio for secondary property tax on commercial property from 20% to 16% beginning Tax Year 2012;
Permanently reduce the Corporate rate from 6.968% to 4.86% ($200 million total), moving Arizona from the 23rd most competitive state to 7th best in the nation, bypassing states such as Utah, Florida, and Virginia, starting Tax Year 2011; and
Permanently cut Arizona’s Individual Income Tax rates across the board by 7% ($200 million total); every taxpayer will receive a 7% income tax reduction starting Tax Year 2011.
Our tax package incorporates pro-job tax reductions designed to encourage Arizona businesses to expand operations, create jobs and restart economic growth; as well as, create a pro-business environment to entice people and businesses from neighboring states and across the nation to come to Arizona to set up businesses.
Rep. Steve Montenegro from District 12 represents the cities of Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Surprise, Glendale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Avondale, West Phoenix and Waddel. Contact Rep. Montenegro at 602-926-5955 or via email at smontenegro@azleg.gov.
Speaker Adams Discusses Budget In Six, Two-Minute Videos
June 22 2009 13:42
Speaker Kirk Adams sets the record straight on the budget, education, economic recovery and Arizona’s future. He does so through six different videos discussing these issues and many more.
Federal Stimulus To Aid Arizonans Now
April 23 2009 15:48
Today the House of Representatives passed two emergency measures with overwhelming bipartisan support designed to immediately tackle obstacles related to accepting $93 million available in federal stimulus funding for out-of-work Arizonans and another $1.6 billion in stimulus for the state’s Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) program; the bills will be enacted without delay upon the Governor’s signature.
Rep. Russ Jones (R-Yuma) sponsored the bill that will utilize 100 percent of federal stimulus funding to extend unemployment benefits by 13 weeks for the state’s out-of-work citizens for this year. A sunset clause for the measure has been included and pursuant to the federal stimulus legislation the federal funding will begin to be phased out January 1 and will cease by June 30, 2010.
“Arizona’s unemployment rate jumped from 7.4 percent in February to 7.8 percent by March, which is the state’s highest unemployment rate since 1983,” Rep. Jones said. “Rural Arizona has been hit particularly hard by the poor economy, posting double digit unemployment rates. In Yuma, the unemployment rate is at 22 percent. I believe this legislation will bring immediate aide for many families struggling to make ends meet as they look for work,” he added.
According to Rep. Frank Pratt (R-Casa Grande), the primary sponsor on the bill that changes the eligibility re-application requirement for AHCCCS from every six-months to a year, this bill makes a technical change and clears the way for Arizona to receive $1.6 billion in federal stimulus.
“The bipartisan actions of lawmakers today demonstrates our willingness to work together to implement solutions that immediately help the citizens in this state,” Rep. Pratt said. “We have been criticized for not getting these funds out sooner, but people need to remember the federal stimulus package wasn’t even voted on by Congress until mid-February. I believe the state and this Legislature did an excellent and responsible job of accepting these funds as quickly as possible,” he explained.
Rep. Russ Jones (R-Yuma) sponsored the bill that will utilize 100 percent of federal stimulus funding to extend unemployment benefits by 13 weeks for the state’s out-of-work citizens for this year. A sunset clause for the measure has been included and pursuant to the federal stimulus legislation the federal funding will begin to be phased out January 1 and will cease by June 30, 2010.
“Arizona’s unemployment rate jumped from 7.4 percent in February to 7.8 percent by March, which is the state’s highest unemployment rate since 1983,” Rep. Jones said. “Rural Arizona has been hit particularly hard by the poor economy, posting double digit unemployment rates. In Yuma, the unemployment rate is at 22 percent. I believe this legislation will bring immediate aide for many families struggling to make ends meet as they look for work,” he added.
According to Rep. Frank Pratt (R-Casa Grande), the primary sponsor on the bill that changes the eligibility re-application requirement for AHCCCS from every six-months to a year, this bill makes a technical change and clears the way for Arizona to receive $1.6 billion in federal stimulus.
“The bipartisan actions of lawmakers today demonstrates our willingness to work together to implement solutions that immediately help the citizens in this state,” Rep. Pratt said. “We have been criticized for not getting these funds out sooner, but people need to remember the federal stimulus package wasn’t even voted on by Congress until mid-February. I believe the state and this Legislature did an excellent and responsible job of accepting these funds as quickly as possible,” he explained.