By Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services | Arizona Daily Star
State lawmakers took the first steps Monday to strip cities of their ability to tax rents on homes and apartments.
The 5-4 vote by the House Committee on Ways and Means came after proponents said the levy is unfair to the one-third of Arizonans who rent. Rep. Darin Mitchell, R-Litchfield Park, sponsor of the measure, said this hits the poor who are renting because they can’t afford to buy a home.
But Rep. Andrew Sherwood, D-Tempe, pointed out that the tax is legally the responsibility of the landlord. More to the point, there is nothing in HB 2254 that requires the landlords to pass on any savings to their tenants.
