The Board of Directors of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) has voted to oppose Proposition 121, which would remove partisan restrictions from primary elections for state offices.
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the Open Elections/Open Government Act could be placed on November’s ballot after a dispute over the gathering of sufficient qualifying signatures.
The GPCC Board voted to oppose the initiative, which would send the top two vote-getters in a primary election — regardless of their party affiliations — through to the general election.
Last month, the GPCC’s Board of Directors voted to support Proposition 116, which will increase the amount exempted from taxes on certain personal property.
The chamber also supports Proposition 117, the Arizona Property Tax Assessed Valuation Amendment, as it worked the bill through the Arizona Legislature and to the ballot during the most recent session.
With more than 120 years of service to the Phoenix business community, the GPCC supports the interest of the business community.
• Briefs compiled from staff and wire reports
John J posted at 8:32 pm on Wed, Sep 26, 2012.
PROP 117 - THE LARGEST PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR ARIZONA HOMEOWNERS BUT THAT’S OK LARGE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TAXES WILL GO DOWN.
Prop 117 is simply a residential tax hike that the Arizona Tax Research Assoc (ATRA), a professional lobbying group that represents only the largest taxpayers in the State (http://www.arizonatax.org/committees/board-of-directors). ATRA does not represent homeowners, small business, retirees, etc.
While they claim that the measure will hold down property taxes for homeowners, the measure is actually a tax shift from commercial property to residential properties this is well documented in many independent studies that are listed below and not one study supports the contention that this will help homeowners.
Actually, until three years ago, ATRA always stated that Prop 117 language will create inequities and lead to increased tax rates and taxes. This is of course until ATRA’s Board, which includes tax attorneys and property tax agents that represent the largest commercial property owners in the State decided that they could no longer reduce the commercial assessment ratios and needed a new avenue to shift taxes from large commercial taxpayers to homeowners. Please see page 6-8 from ATRA's 2005 Outlook for the truth about Caps. http://www.powershow.com/view/2cac1-OGUyO/ATRA_OUTLOOK_CONFERENCE_flash_ppt_presentation.
Also, take a look at who wrote and supported Prop 117 (known as SCR 1025 at the legislature): When this went through the legislature, not one small business, home owner, City, town or retiree that supported the bill (at the bottom of this post is a list of those that signed in). In fact Property Tax professionals that are not on the board of ATRA (Mr. Jeff Nolan, Mr. Daniel Garrett, Mr. Chris Glidewell and Mr. James Nearhood) have come forward stating that Prop 117 will lower commercial taxes and increase the taxes on our homes.
Please be informed......ATRA is a Lobbying group with 7 registered lobbyists. Please do not just listen to a paid lobbyist take the time and understand what you are truly voting for –Higher residential taxes and lower commercial taxes.
Don’t take my word for it here are studies by the International Assessor’s organization (IAAO), The Lincoln Land Institute, (IAAO), Profession of Economics at Cal State and head of tax at University Cal Davis, as well as Kevin’s counterpart in Minnesota Mark Havemann. The following are links to many of the papers written by the leading national experts :
LESSONS FROM 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE – LINCOLN ISTITUTE
http://www.taad.org/Property%20Tax%20Assessment%20Limits--Lessons%20from%2030%20Years%20of%20Experience.pdf
International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) Organization – Various Studies
http://www.iaao.org/sitePages.cfm?Page=355
Taxable Value Increase Limits – Fables and Fallacies
http://www.iaao.org/uploads/Dornfest.pdf
To Cap or Not to Cap That is The Question. (Not The Answer)
The following are those who signed in for the bill. A complete record of names is available online at the State Legislative site at the end of the committee recording (azleg.gov 03/05/2012).
IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL:
Freeport McMoran Lyn White ( also Chairperson ATRA)
Intel’s Jason Bagley (also Vice Chairman ATRA)
Century Link’s Mike DiMaria (also 2nd Vice Chair ATRA)
APS’ Steve Barela (also a Board Member of ATRA)
Boeing’s Jeff Dodson ((also a Board Member of ATRA)
SW Gas’ Richard Foreman (also a Board Member of ATRA)
Tim Lawless ( NAIOP Exec Director and Board Member ATRA).