(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Ann Siner of My Sister’s Closet and Judge John Buttrick in their litigation efforts against 208.)
Opinion: No matter which side wins the Proposition 208 fight, Arizona will be on worse footing. Taxes are more unfair and raising cash will be more difficult.
By Abe Kwok | Arizona Republic
The counterpunching over Proposition 208 has been spectacular for partisan politics and those keeping score.
For the good of Arizona, not so much.
Regardless of which side ultimately prevails, the state will be on less solid footing in the years ahead.
The latest jab in the fight illustrates the point.
Backers of Proposition 208 are seeking to undo the Legislature-approved quasi flat tax package by way of referendum.
A repeal could be a hard sell to voters
The tax package was a cunning response by GOP lawmakers to hold high earners harmless from the 3.5% surcharge imposed under the education-funding measure.
Presuming sufficient signatures are collected to qualify the referendums, Arizona voters will be asked to repeal legislation that collapsed the four marginal tax brackets into two and capped the maximum tax rate at the current level of 4.5%. The targeted legislation presumably includes Senate Bill 1783, which created a tax classification for small businesses to avoid the higher rate.
