Opinion: Arizona’s legislative session faces monumental uncertainty about policy and politics. And in an election year, no less. This will be painful. The Arizona Legislature is facing monumental uncertainty as it begins a new session.
By Robert Robb | Arizona Republic
The Arizona Legislature convenes in a miasma of monumental uncertainty, both substantively and politically.
The session is highly likely to be a miserable experience for those directly participating. And not much more pleasant to watch.
Arizona is facing huge budget uncertainties
Let’s begin with the state budget, the most important, and only essential, task for the Legislature to complete. There are billions of dollars of uncertainty about how much money the state will raise in taxes and how much it will be obligated to spend.
Not because of the usual forecasting margins of error. But because of unsettled legal issues with big dollar signs attached.
The top individual income tax rate may be 2.98%. Or it may be 4.5%.
The top rate on business investment income may be 3%. Or it may be 4.5%.
The state general fund may owe the Proposition 208 education fund $918 million. Or it may not. And if it does not, it may have to refund a portion of that amount to taxpayers.
All of these contingencies will be determined by the outcome of court cases that are still pending.
