Phoenix (Az Family) – Maricopa County relies on taxes to fund jail and public safety. It has been paid for decades and brings hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
The “Prison Facilities Excise Tax” is one-fifth of the sales tax of Cent, which raised more than $270 million last year. Voters first approved the tax about 25 years ago, but will expire in 2027 unless they extend the collection.
But it’s not certain that voters will even get that opportunity. Under its own state law, only legislatures can impose sales tax on Maricopa County votes.
The Republican-controlled Congress initially barred the vote by placing transport taxes on the ballot. Congress ultimately did so, and voters passed the measure this year with a wide margin.
State Capitol leader Oscar de los Santos said he supports his Democrats sending prison tax extensions to voters before the expiration date.
“Democrats are concerned about public safety and the passage of this law will ensure that Maricopa County is giving $300 million a year to make sure the prisons are running,” Santos said. “It’s also a way of funding healthcare for inmates, including services for people with mental illnesses and drug addictions. Frankly, I’m even considering Republicans reimbursing public safety. I was shocked to be there.”
Delos Santos also told Arizona families that not sending this to voters is equivalent to “refunding police.”
GOP lawmakers have not yet achieved official status.
Republican leaders at the State Capitol have not commented. A spokesman for state Senate President Warren Petersen said he is still gathering more information.
Maricopa County Attorneys Rachel Mitchell and Jerry Sheridan of Jeriff Elect declined to comment. Both are well-known Arizona Republicans.
Meanwhile, Maricopa County leaders have made it a legislative priority and headed for a new session that begins next month.
Do you see spelling or grammatical errors in our stories? Please click here to report.
Are there any photos or videos of broken news stories? send Here to us With a brief explanation.
Copyright 2024 KTVK/KPHO. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
