Michael Bryan has already reported that the Arizona Secretary of State’s office has certified the Invest in Arizona’s referendum calling for the voters to have a say in whether SB1828 (the Republican Rich Come First Flat Tax) should or should not go into effect.
This failed zombie economic idea (which nearly destroyed Kansas several years ago,) would result in the defunding of Proposition 208 and other vital social justice programs that benefit the working and middle classes.
Reaction to the certification among the Invest in Arizona leaders was swift.
Rebecca Gau, the Executive Director of Stand for Children Arizona, wrote:
“By passing these sneaky budget schemes, this small group of politicians is helping their rich friends avoid paying their fair share to public schools. Worst of all, they are trying to silence voters. Parents, teachers, students, and advocates worked to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures to stop them and to demand that what voters approved be respected.”
Joe Thomas, the President of the Arizona Education Association, relayed:
“Arizona voters continue to show unwavering support for our teachers and students. They intend to vote NO on these massive tax cuts for millionaires and would rather see the governor and legislature use these dollars to invest in Arizona’s schools and communities. Voters—especially parents—know that these investments are critical to the success of our students and to the future of Arizona.”
David Lujan, the head of the Children’s Action Alliance, offered:
“This budget bill benefits Arizona’s wealthiest individuals, giving them massive handouts and guts hundreds of millions from state revenues. Voters are tired of failed leadership by this Governor and legislature.”
Arizona voters in 2020 sent a clear message that they preferred fully funding schools to tax cuts for the wealthy.
Unfortunately, because of selectively deaf Republicans in the Governor’s office and State Legislature, they need to send that message again in 2022.
Vote NO on Proposition 307 in the 2022 elections.
1828Referendum_Certification_PressRelease
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I was furious when I found out that our elected officials went behind the Arizona voters backs to give the rich another tax break so they wouldn’t have to fund 208 (the school tax that we voted to pass). I wish I could say I am surprised, but sadly I’m getting use to people simply not doing the right thing in our AZ government.
The fact that we have to vote to get out that “rich tax break” (that we did NOT vote on) that takes from prop 208 (that we DID vote on) is crazy. Again, we live in a democracy. We left Europe and became independent because we didn’t want taxation without representation and we the people voted to fund our schools. I don’t intend to keep the elected officials who have done this the next time I get to vote. I simply can’t trust them.
If we don’t fund education, nothing else works short or long term. The last thing we need is for more ignorance in our country. And our kids have a lot more to deal with than any generation before because of our mistakes.
I am so thankful for the volunteers that got the signatures in time. I signed at the Dollar Tree (while picking up school supplies) and that’s when I first found out about what our AZ legislators did. It’s been a rough few years so this article brightened my day.
“If we don’t fund education, nothing else works short or long term. The last thing we need is for more ignorance in our country.”
Amen.
I’m still livid about free community college being dropped from BBB.
I remember when state legislators started seriously cutting public education funding, the Tucson Weekly (perhaps Jim Nintzel?) commenting how it was going to backfire when those same legislators won’t be able to find a caddy who’s capable of adding their golf scores.
“…those same legislators won’t be able to find a caddy who’s capable of adding their golf scores.”
Ha ha, that’s the truth. And we’re going to create all these good paying middle class jobs with BIF and BBB, but skimp on higher education. I guess we can entice educated immigrants from China and India to fill the jobs.
Thank you, Kyrsten Sinema.