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Budget WeekThis week the Legislature did not conduct committee hearings so that members would be able to discuss the budget in individual meetings with leadership. There are two rumors that have emerged from the week's conversation regarding state shared revenues.Read more... Session UpdateAlthough there was a lot of floor activity this week, no committees met as Senate Appropriations rescheduled for Monday afternoon. As noted above, the cancellation of all other committees was in an attempt for the Legislature to work on the state budget. Bills transferring from one house to the other picked up as the last day to hear bills in the second chamber is March 19th. However, additional time to work on the budget could extend that deadline.Read more... HB2512 municipal taxes, auditors and collectorsHB2512 prohibits cities and towns from using a third party contractor for tax administration functions or contingency-based auditing. The bill is currently awaiting action in the House Rules Committee. Representatives from the League and Bullhead City met with the sponsor, Representative Rick Murphy (R-Glendale). We highlighted the benefits of having an alternative to the ADOR collection program and the establishment of a city department for the collection and administration of sales taxes. While the League supports the prohibition of contingency fee audits, we continue to work with the sponsor to amend the bill to allow third party tax administration. The League wishes to thanks its membership for the grassroots letter campaign it has championed to inform legislators of city concerns with this bill.HB2596 free exercise of religionDespite repeated requests to the sponsor to amend this bill, House Bill 2596 passed 36-24 on the House floor on Wednesday without any of our recommended changes. Representative Steve Yarbrough (R-Chandler) is sponsoring the bill at the request of the Center for Arizona Policy (CAP).Read more... HB2060 public conservation monies, transferRepresentative Warde Nichols (R-Gilbert) is sponsoring HB2060, which impacts the Growing Smarter Fund.Voters approved the Growing Smarter Act 1998, directing the state to allocate revenues for the purpose of open space conservation, especially in high growth areas. Approximately $20M from the State General Fund has been preserved in this fund annually as a result. Read more... Eminent Domain Bills Still AliveThe package of bills that would create additional hurdles to implement eminent domain actions have not yet seen action on the Senate floor, but continue to be alive. The League position is that there are many additional protections provided to Arizona property owners beyond those in federal law, and that additional restrictions on the legitimate use of eminent domain simply add time, cost and complexity to public projects. The League fact sheet on this issue can be accessed here. Please let your Senators know that you do not believe additional changes are necessary to Arizona's eminent domain laws.THE WEEKLY SPOTLIGHT
David Lujan is a native Arizonan who was born in Phoenix, graduated from Washington High, and earned his B.A. and Law Degree from ASU. |
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Legislative Bulletin is published by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. Forward your comments or suggestions to league@azleague.org. |
