March 19, 2005

Working parents will lose help paying for child care, children may lose health insurance, the state risks violating a court order to improve juvenile jails, and abused kids could remain in danger under the $8.2 billion budget Arizona legislators approved Friday.

Some East Valley landowners and real estate developers are reaping low property tax bills by farming their investment property.

With a new store freshly open in the north East Valley, Spencer's TV and Appliances owner Rick Beiderbeck thinks the tax cuts approved by Congress on Friday will help his business.

Saying it will stimulate the economy, the Republican-controlled Legislature voted late Thursday for a package of tax cuts and credits.

Just what is a "tax cut" or a "tax increase"? If we lower the income tax rate, as President G.W. Bush did, it is advertised as a "tax cut." Looking at the actual results, however, reveals that it indeed was a "tax increase."

Bill Ross was among dozens who made their way to Banner Olive Branch Senior Center Wednesday to listen to a presentation from Congressman Trent Franks. “He wants to make it so we don’t pay taxes on our Social Security,” the Sun City resident said. “He doesn’t have a snowball’s chance of getting it passed, but it’s a good idea.”

Bill Ross was among dozens who made their way to Banner Olive Branch Senior Center Wednesday to listen to a presentation from Congressman Trent Franks. “He wants to make it so we don’t pay taxes on our Social Security,” the Sun City resident said. “He doesn’t have a snowball’s chance of getting it passed, but it’s a good idea.”

Bill Ross was among dozens who made their way to Banner Olive Branch Senior Center Wednesday to listen to a presentation from Congressman Trent Franks. “He wants to make it so we don’t pay taxes on our Social Security,” the Sun City resident said. “He doesn’t have a snowball’s chance of getting it passed, but it’s a good idea.”

Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:

Arizona businesses won’t be getting tax breaks this year.

Without a single Democrat in support, the state House on Thursday approved a package of tax cuts that its proponents say will stimulate the economy.

Our View: The question seems almost impossible to answer. To help fix the state’s budget, would you prefer to raises taxes precisely when everyone already is being hurt financially by a national recession — or would you borrow heavily against future gambling returns and tobacco settlement payments and just pray that you won’t have to raise taxes later to pay for the programs that those revenues now fund?

The Gilbert Town Council turned down requests to lower the town’s property tax rate and instead voted Tuesday to use the increase in collections to speed up road construction.

In Georgia, the governor suspended state gasoline taxes, and the price for a gallon of gas quickly dropped by as much as 35 cents. In Arizona, lawmakers are talking about waiving — at least temporarily — similar state taxes that add 18 cents to every gallon.

In Georgia, the governor suspended state gasoline taxes, and the price for a gallon of gas quickly dropped by as much as 35 cents. In Arizona, lawmakers are talking about waiving — at least temporarily — similar state taxes that add 18 cents to every gallon.

Businesses could get state tax credits for hiring unemployed veterans under the terms of legislation approved Monday by the House.