Senate Transportation Chairman Calls Tax-Hike Plan -Non-Starter-

(STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX) Senate Transportation Chairman Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu, released the following statement regarding a proposed plan to increase sales taxes, gasoline taxes, and property taxes to pay for transportation improvements. I read with disappointment the announcement [on February 28] in the Arizona Capitol Times Yellow Sheet of the decision by APS lobbyist Marty Schultz and others to push for increased sales, gasoline, and property taxes to pay for transportation improvements. I have indicated previously to Mr. Schultz and other lobbyists that their plan to increase taxes on Arizona taxpayers would be a non-starter in my committee and would not receive a hearing. Frankly, I am amazed, that with so many Arizona citizens struggling to pay higher gas prices and higher property tax bills that anyone would propose increasing these burdens further. I also believe that a majority of my colleagues in the Legislature, both Republican and Democratic, would join me in opposing a plan that would raise taxes in the way that Mr. Schultz is proposing. While Mr. Schultz and other supporters of this tax increase plan are free to attempt to put an initiative on the ballot and let the voters of Arizona decide, I call on Mr. Schultz and other interested parties to join me in finding innovative ways to improve our states infrastructure that do not include raising taxes on Arizona taxpayers. Only by finding consensus will we be able to successfully address the pressing transportation needs facing our state