Senate moves to repeal property tax

In a 16-13 decision that saw two Republicans defect to the "nay" side and one Democrat say "yea," the Senate voted in favor of permanently eliminating the statewide property tax.

A moratorium was placed on the tax in 2006, but that freeze is set to expire in January of 2009. Today's vote, along with the House's vote in March, means that if Gov. Janet Napolitano decides to sign the bill into law, the tax - estimated at $250 million annually - will be gone forever.

“As homeowners struggle to pay their mortgage and property taxes, the state shouldn’t add to their burden,” said House Speaker Jim Weiers (R-Phoenix), who sponsored the bill in the House. “We also shouldn’t counter the federal economic stimulus package with a tax increase. That is counter-productive.”

Weiers is urging the Governor to sign the bill, as is Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen.

“The irresponsibility of the Democrats and Governor Napolitano by refusing to reduce spending will force this state into bankruptcy," said Pullen. "I call on the Governor to sign this legislation immediately and work with Republicans to solve the budget crisis.”  

However, there is no word as to whether she will or not, as she customarily does not speak on legislation before it has reached her desk.

The vote was not along strict party lines. Sens. Carolyn Allen (R-Scottsdale) and Tom O'Halleran (R-Sedona) voted against eliminating the tax. Sen. Ken Cheuvront (D-Phoenix) voted with the majority of Republicans in favor of it, earning the praise of Arizona Federation of Taxpayers' Tom Jenney.

"Regardless of your party affiliation," Jenney wrote, "please send a note to Sen. Cheuvront (kcheuvront@azleg.gov) and thank him for having the courage to break with his party’s majority and with the special interests who insist on increasing your property taxes during a recession."