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Gov. Brewer to Benson: Sales-tax hike the way to go
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| Gov. Jan Brewer was in Benson Friday discussing the state of budget and need for a 1 cent sales-tax increase to provide revenue. (Dave Brown/Photo.) |
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
In a visit to Benson Friday, Gov. Jan Brewer said the Legislature has cut all it can from the state budget, but to overcome the $3 billion deficit a new revenue stream is needed.
Benson was one of three stops for Brewer as she visited Willcox and Graham County.
The Republican governor said it is time to get out of Phoenix and start talking to the people about what is going on in Arizona.
"We are facing the largest catastrophic crisis in the history of the state. It is something I didn't create, but it's something I am going to resolve," she said. "They need to hear it from the horse's mouth and I will tell them the truth and hopefully they will assist with the solution."
That solution is the state tax proposal or Proposition 100 voters will decide on in the May 18 election. The 1 percent sales-tax hike is needed to prevent further cuts to education and public safety, Brewer said.
The governor rejected the idea that the outcome of the May vote will be more of a measure of her job performance as some have claimed.
"I don't think it's going to be a test of me, I think it's going to be a test of values and character of the people of Arizona," Brewer said. "Once they are given the facts and information I trust the voters. I think they are going to do the right thing."
If approved by voters, Arizona residents will pay another cent for every dollar spent. The 1 percent increase will go into effect immediately and will end May 31, 2013.
Brewer said the Legislature has already cut more than $1 billion since she took office, ordering every agency to cut spending immediately.
Some of those cuts also include transferring 300 to 400 undocumented immigrants being held in Arizona prisons to the proper authorities.
If voters reject the sales-tax increase, Brewer said more cuts will take place, and a contingency budget is ready.
"I am trying to protect public education, which is the cornerstone for our future and the basis for our economic recovery," she said. "If this sales tax does not pass, we will then cut another $1 billion out of the budget."
Education makes up 60 percent of the state's entire budget, and Benson Superintendent of Schools David Woodall said when the subject comes up he feels a little like the "white elephant" in the room.
Woodall and other members of the Benson community spoke to the governor about programs and city needs.
Woodall commended Brewer for pushing for the sales-tax increase, agreeing that with the deficit Arizona is facing a new revenue source is necessary to avoid extreme cuts.
The 20-year administrator said if voters approve the sales-tax increase the Benson School District is still looking at a $300,000 to $400,000 cut in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
Without the sales tax, the rural school district will have to cut $1 million from the budget and cut staff by up to 20 percent. The Benson School District is one of the city's top employers with 175 teachers and staff.
"We've tightened our belts and school districts realize they have to be a part of the solution," Woodall said. "But I feel like we are on our last notch. The governor has shown tremendous courage to say we need more."
Brewer said last year's federal stimulus funds that helped cover the costs of education are now gone. Her goal is to keep all budget levels as they were in 2006.
Without the sales tax, Brewer said Arizona would not recover for eight to 10 years.
"Today we all know that the checkbook is overdrawn, the credit card is maxed out and we've mortgaged the house. If we don't get that temporary tax there's not going to be any protection for a lot of things," Brewer said. "It's going to be very painful. If we don't do what's right today we will pay for it for years to come."
Brewer said without the added revenue Arizona will not be a state where anyone wants to live.
The governor said it's not about using scare tactics to get a measure passed on the ballot but rather providing facts about the current economic condition of the state.
At the city level, Benson Mayor Mark Fenn said they are concerned about cuts to state-shared revenues, asking the governor not to change the formula for how funds are calculated, or start paying cities in IOUs.
In a visit to Benson Friday, Gov. Jan Brewer said the Legislature has cut all it can from the state budget, but to overcome the $3 billion deficit a new revenue stream is needed.
Benson was one of three stops for Brewer as she visited Willcox and Graham County.
The Republican governor said it is time to get out of Phoenix and start talking to the people about what is going on in Arizona.
"We are facing the largest catastrophic crisis in the history of the state. It is something I didn't create, but it's something I am going to resolve," she said. "They need to hear it from the horse's mouth and I will tell them the truth and hopefully they will assist with the solution."
That solution is the state tax proposal or Proposition 100 voters will decide on in the May 18 election. The 1 percent sales-tax hike is needed to prevent further cuts to education and public safety, Brewer said.
The governor rejected the idea that the outcome of the May vote will be more of a measure of her job performance as some have claimed.
"I don't think it's going to be a test of me, I think it's going to be a test of values and character of the people of Arizona," Brewer said. "Once they are given the facts and information I trust the voters. I think they are going to do the right thing."
If approved by voters, Arizona residents will pay another cent for every dollar spent. The 1 percent increase will go into effect immediately and will end May 31, 2013.
Brewer said the Legislature has already cut more than $1 billion since she took office, ordering every agency to cut spending immediately.
Some of those cuts also include transferring 300 to 400 undocumented immigrants being held in Arizona prisons to the proper authorities.
If voters reject the sales-tax increase, Brewer said more cuts will take place, and a contingency budget is ready.
"I am trying to protect public education, which is the cornerstone for our future and the basis for our economic recovery," she said. "If this sales tax does not pass, we will then cut another $1 billion out of the budget."
Education makes up 60 percent of the state's entire budget, and Benson Superintendent of Schools David Woodall said when the subject comes up he feels a little like the "white elephant" in the room.
Woodall and other members of the Benson community spoke to the governor about programs and city needs.
Woodall commended Brewer for pushing for the sales-tax increase, agreeing that with the deficit Arizona is facing a new revenue source is necessary to avoid extreme cuts.
The 20-year administrator said if voters approve the sales-tax increase the Benson School District is still looking at a $300,000 to $400,000 cut in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
Without the sales tax, the rural school district will have to cut $1 million from the budget and cut staff by up to 20 percent. The Benson School District is one of the city's top employers with 175 teachers and staff.
"We've tightened our belts and school districts realize they have to be a part of the solution," Woodall said. "But I feel like we are on our last notch. The governor has shown tremendous courage to say we need more."
Brewer said last year's federal stimulus funds that helped cover the costs of education are now gone. Her goal is to keep all budget levels as they were in 2006.
Without the sales tax, Brewer said Arizona would not recover for eight to 10 years.
"Today we all know that the checkbook is overdrawn, the credit card is maxed out and we've mortgaged the house. If we don't get that temporary tax there's not going to be any protection for a lot of things," Brewer said. "It's going to be very painful. If we don't do what's right today we will pay for it for years to come."
Brewer said without the added revenue Arizona will not be a state where anyone wants to live.
The governor said it's not about using scare tactics to get a measure passed on the ballot but rather providing facts about the current economic condition of the state.
At the city level, Benson Mayor Mark Fenn said they are concerned about cuts to state-shared revenues, asking the governor not to change the formula for how funds are calculated, or start paying cities in IOUs.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
You gotta be kidding me wrote on Mar 6, 2010 8:52 AM:
" Our governments have already proven they can't handle finances--why would we want to give them even MORE money to mispend and misuse?! "
concerned citizen wrote on Mar 8, 2010 12:58 AM:
" Governer Brewer has to be kidding she has cut des assistances to thousands of needy families she has closed state parks and rest areas and has already cut budgets to schools she isnt looking out for the best intrest of families or education she is looking for a way to get re elected "
Phillip Keuter wrote on Mar 8, 2010 6:20 AM:
" Needed Correction: Prop 100 is not a "solution." Our deficit is 3 times what that tax will bring in. A solution is a reversal of all the tax giveaways -- Private School Tuition Tax Credits cost us $55 million a year, tax cut to the richest 1% has cost us $400 million, Single Sales Formula tax break to big corporations like Intell has cost us millions. Special Property tax exemption to APS up in Phoenix costs us million. Lowering the corporate tax rate will cost us $3.6 Billion over next decade etc, etc, etc....Truth is the republican tax cuts to wealthiest and to big corporations have created most of current deficit. 2.6 Billion in tax cuts and now we have a 2.5 Billion deficit -- THAT"S NO COINCIDENCE!...and all those tax cuts to rich people have not "trickled down" nor have they created any jobs. A solution is reverse all the legislative malfeasance. Problem is, Brewer doesn't have the sand to stand up to the Big Man on Campus, Russell Pearce, who runs the legislature like a school yard bully. Brewer is trying to get poor people and middle class people to pay for her party's tax giveaways to the rich, by making us pay steeper property tax. ....I will vote for Prop 100 because we need our schools and we need all the good jobs schools provide. But next election I will not be voting for the people who got us into this mess and I will not be voting for people who continue to give my tax money away to rich people and ask me to pay even more. I will be voting for Democrats this time around. Republicans have created a huge mess and refuse to what is needed to fix it. Like spoiled little kids who refuse to clean their own room. Time for all of them to go! "
Concerned Parent wrote on Mar 8, 2010 6:07 PM:
" We need to vote for this sales tax increase! Today's children are our future leaders. Our schools can't afford to cut any more teachers. Can students really get a good education with 35-40 students in a classroom? Ask yourselves, "What can I do to support our schools, our community and our future?"
VOTE YES ON THE SALES TAX INCREASE ON MAY 18th. "
VOTE YES ON THE SALES TAX INCREASE ON MAY 18th. "
Angelo wrote on Mar 6, 2010 12:32 AM:
Why am I forced to constantly clean up the politicians mess with my check book only to have you people do it again?
How about stopping with the scare tactics- cutting safety personel and teachers- to punish the people of the state who won't go along with your new tax scheme?
I'll spring for a fresh pair of scissors, you keep cutting. "