Republican budget raises property taxes

by David Safier
 According to the Arizona Guardian (I finally got me a subscription, so I get to read the whole article, not just the opening paragraph),

Here's how it works. Right now, the secondary property tax rate on businesses is 22%. SB 1036 cuts it to 10%. Homeowners' rate remains as it was at 10%.

Less money will be raised from business property taxes, so homeowners will end up paying more.

Since secondary property taxes pay for things like bonds and budget overrides that voters approve, this is a twofer for anti-tax conservatives. Not only does it mean businesses pay less, but since homeowners will end up paying more, they're less likely to vote for secondary property taxes. So we'll have fewer of those nasty taxes that local communities vote in to fund schools and things like that. After all, even though we're last in the nation in per student spending, the state is plenty generous to schools. They shouldn't have to go to the taxpayers, empty bowl in hand, asking for "More, please."