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Jan Brewer on Tax Reform
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Proposition 100: sales tax expires; now economy is growing
We limited regulations and enacted the largest and most strategic tax cuts in state history--unlike our "friends" in Washington, D.C. And we even accomplished something novel and rare in politics: we kept our word. In 2010, we asked the people to
increase their own taxes, and promised them it would be temporary. That promise will be kept when the Proposition 100 sales tax expires in May.Not long ago, we were facing the worst housing collapse in our history.
Now, our housing market is on-the-mend, recovering faster in metro Phoenix than anywhere in America. We're adding jobs at the swiftest clip in years. In fact, Arizona ranked 5th in the nation for job growth during 2012. The Kauffman Index recently
declared Arizona the country's premier place for entrepreneurs. Our budget is now balanced, and we've set aside $450 million in the state's rainy-day fund for the next time crisis strikes.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Arizona Legislature
, Jan 14, 2013
Imposed temporary sales tax increase to balance budget
The budget we came up with slashed spending and included a temporary one-cent sales tax hike for three years to make up the massive deficit. The sales tax was the fairest method of raising additional revenue, affecting everyone equally.
We calculated that the temporary measure would raise $1 billion a year and protect the areas of education, health care, and public safety from even deeper cuts.
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p. 92
, Nov 1, 2011
Increase tax revenue now; pro-growth tax cuts later
We have reduced government spending more than $1 billion and decreased state jobs more than 10%. But the depth of the problem is so severe that we cannot solve it through cuts alone. The damage done to education, and public safety would be far too great.
And, fiscally counter-productive.So we must raise some additional revenue. The longer we put this off, the less effective it will be in stabilizing our financial position. Over the long run
I support a responsible pro-growth tax reform package that includes tax cuts.
However--we must ensure a revenue base that supports vital functions through this downturn. And we can no longer consider debt as a source of state revenue.
Government must live within its means. I did not create this situation--but I intend to resolve it--and continue telling the people the truth about it.
Source: Arizona 2010 State of the State Address
, Jan 11, 2010
Page last updated: Jul 14, 2017