Tackling the Impossibe: Taxes and Tax Reform in AZ
Shhhhhhh! Don't read this too loudly. Taxes. There you said it. That dirty four letter word every politician is scared to utter. Unless of course it's used with a variation of the word 'cut' such as 'tax cut' or 'cut taxes.' You'll hear that every election year. And in some areas, experts will tell you 'tax cut's are needed.
You won't hear that much this year. With governments at all levels facing budget cuts, tax cuts are not too popular. Tax hikes, while politically dangerous, are seen as the only way out for some governments such as the state of California, which temporarily raised the sales tax 1% and slightly bumped income and vehicle license taxes.
What should Arizona do to get out of the economic nightmare it finds itself in? Governor Brewer has proposed a plan that would cut spending, impose some form of temporary tax to raise a billion dollars a year, and ask voter permission to lessen the budget impact of voter approved initiatives that spend a lot of money.
Here and Now will explore whether the state needs a temporary tax increase and if so, what form it should take. The program will also look at the bigger picture--our state tax code--and what we can do better balance of tax structure.
What do you think we should do? Temporarily raises taxes? Borrow billions? Slash spending? Move?
Your ideas are welcome!
(except for the federal government, which can just borrow and borrow and borrow)
