By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services/Arizona Daily Sun
Saying it will make the state more competitive, the Senate Finance Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to exempt manufacturers and smelters from having to pay tax on the electricity they buy and use.
Everyone else, however, would continue to pay the levy, at least in part because the state can’t afford the revenue loss.
Wednesday’s vote is a victory for Gov. Jan Brewer who sought the special tax break in her State of the State speech. Michael Hunter, her financial adviser, said Arizona is one of fewer than a dozen states that makes manufacturers pay the levy.
