[PHOENIX, AZ] Dozens of influential organizations from across Arizona have come together to urge Governor Ducey and state lawmakers to pass a budget that builds a stronger future for all Arizonans instead of continuing down a fiscally irresponsible and disastrous path of cutting taxes that will shut the door on Arizona’s economic growth. [link to release]
Thousands of Arizonans are facing huge challenges during the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. Many have lost their jobs or are working reduced hours, struggling to put food on the table, and many small businesses are not sure whether they will be able to keep their doors open much longer. Arizona lawmakers have an estimated $600 million in additional ongoing revenue they can use to invest in an economy that benefits all Arizonans during these difficult times. Instead, some lawmakers want to give that revenue away in tax breaks to corporations and the rich. They want to give away our future. If lawmakers give our tax dollars away now, our state will never have the revenue it needs to rebuild a stronger economy that works for everyone, like investing in affordable job training and college, in child care so parents can work, and in food support during tough times.
“Never has there been a more critical time for lawmakers to pass a state budget that invests in Arizonans and will bring our state out of these challenging times stronger than before,” said David Lujan, Interim President and CEO of Children’s Action Alliance.
Preliminary budget proposals released by Governor Ducey and some lawmakers are calling for tax cuts that will grow to a cost of $600 million annually. When combined with the $386 million in tax cuts enacted in 2019, that would amount to more than $1 billion in tax cuts in three years.
“Organizations from across Arizona support a budget that invests in people and our state’s future,” said Rabbi John Linder of the Arizona Interfaith Network. “More huge tax cuts are irresponsible. They are bad economics and will bring more harm upon our most vulnerable. We’ve forgotten the lessons of the Great Recession when incessant revenue cuts left us with the worst structural deficit in the country. We must create a different future.”
This letter was sent to Governor Ducey and legislative leadership today. The first of many actions these organizations and others will be taking to support a state budget that chooses investments to build a stronger future for Arizona instead of fiscally irresponsible tax cuts.
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CONTACT:
Damita Curry
Dcurry@azchildren.org
480.263.0983