(The Center Square) – Legislation requiring municipalities to have a two-thirds council or board vote of approval before raising taxes made it through the Arizona Senate Government Committee on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 1013 would require all cities, towns and counties in the state to require the vote by its “common council” on any “assessment, tax or fee.” The committee vote was 4-3 along party lines, with the Republican majority moving the bill forward.
“The legislature currently requires a two-thirds vote, so this really is a matter of policy for us to decide,” Senate President Warren Petersen, the bill’s sponsor, said during the meeting, stressing that “government should be more efficient.”
“If you want to see the difference between Democrats and Republicans on tax policy, watch the Senate hearing on SB1013! All Republicans voted to require a 2/3rds vote to raise your taxes, water bills and fees. All Democrats voted no,” the Republican tweeted after the committee vote.
Republican Sens. Jake Hoffman and John Kavanagh suggested that the legislation could be referred to the 2026 ballot if Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoes it.
Democratic lawmakers on the committee argued that the legislation would hinder the ability of local governments to make their own decisions and could jeopardize public safety funding.
“I’m very concerned about the impact on cities and towns, especially our charter cities,” Sen. Lauren Kuby, D-Tempe, said when explaining her “no” vote in committee.
“Local government is the government that is the closest to the people,” she added. “It has a more robust engagement with the community,” she added.
