Imposed temporary sales tax increase to balance budget
The budget we came up with slashed spending and included a temporary one-cent sales tax hike for three years to make up the massive deficit. The sales tax was the fairest method of raising additional revenue, affecting everyone equally.
We calculated that the temporary measure would raise $1 billion a year and protect the areas of education, health care, and public safety from even deeper cuts.
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p. 92
, Nov 1, 2011
Increase tax revenue now; pro-growth tax cuts later
We have reduced government spending more than $1 billion and decreased state jobs more than 10%. But the depth of the problem is so severe that we cannot solve it through cuts alone. The damage done to education, and public safety would be far too great.
And, fiscally counter-productive.
So we must raise some additional revenue. The longer we put this off, the less effective it will be in stabilizing our financial position. Over the long run
I support a responsible pro-growth tax reform package that includes tax cuts.
However--we must ensure a revenue base that supports vital functions through this downturn. And we can no longer consider debt as a source of state revenue.
Government must live within its means. I did not create this situation--but I intend to resolve it--and continue telling the people the truth about it.
