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THREAD: Today I vetoed SB1143. What should have been a technical bill to conform Arizona’s tax code to the federal tax code developed into an irresponsible measure that hastily changes Arizona’s tax laws without any reliable data to back it up.
On tax conformity: Arizona WILL CONFORM. We WILL NOT raise taxes. We will add to our state’s Rainy Day Fund. And we will continue to be fiscally conservative with our budget and spending.
I’m vetoing this bill because it’s bad public policy. It was poorly conceived and was hastily passed, for no good reason. We’ve been here before: state leaders hastily passed fiscal policy without thinking through the consequences. We need a more thoughtful approach.
Why would we retroactively change a tax code, after a full calendar year has passed, based on wildly differing estimates for what the impact is on state revenues, and after Arizonans have already started filing their tax returns? This makes no sense and it’s irresponsible.
We will conform in 2018, 2019, and conform going forward. I’m all for bringing AZ into conformity with the federal tax code in a way that benefits Arizonans and simplifies the tax code. There’s plenty of time to do that for 2019 and going forward in the regular budget process.
The AZ Department of Revenue has issued forms for taxpayers to use for filing their 2018 taxes. Let me be VERY CLEAR on this point: I will veto any budget that doesn’t align with these tax forms. I’m open to negotiation on this year and next year, but last year is settled.
We are not going to inflict uncertainty and confusion on tens of thousands of AZ tax filers.
The fiscally conservative approach is to add substantially to our Rainy Day Fund — and to actually know what the impact of all these changes is BEFORE taking action.
We are finally getting Arizona’s fiscal house in order after years of digging out of a very, VERY deep hole. We won’t make the mistakes of the past. There is time to get this right, and that’s what I’m committed to doing.
It’s really difficult to raise taxes in Arizona — and that’s a good thing. There are protections in place that make it a rare occurrence.
For those needing a history lesson: We’ve cut taxes every year I’ve been in office, and we will continue to cut taxes every year — including this year. I believe and Arizonans believe in lower taxes.
And… for those still needing a civics lesson: You can’t raise taxes through a veto.
