State senator questions Hobbs’ veto of education funding bill

(The Center Square) – State Sen. Vince Leach, R-Tucson, told The Center Square he was confused as to why Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed his bill, Senate Bill 1050, which sought to provide additional funding for state K-12 classrooms.

SB 1050 would have prevented the decrease of tax revenues meant for school districts within the Government Property Lease Excise Tax program.

This program permits Arizona towns and cities to lease state-owned property to private parties for commercial, residential or industrial purposes. GPLET also allows these private parties to have certain tax exemptions.

Leach’s bill would have removed the tax exemptions designated for school districts, which would have allowed more money for public schools.

The senator said the money that schools don’t get from property taxes is made up by the state government using its general fund.

- Advertisement -

”When they don’t pay the school tax, that comes back in and goes into the formula, and we here at the state have to pay for that,” he said.

He added that Arizonans “will have to pay that tax to make up for what’s not collected from the developers.”

“That’s just wrong,” he said.

According to the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, 49% of property taxes in Arizona fund public schools.

On Monday, Hobbs sent a letter to Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, stating that she vetoed SB 1050 because it could “negatively affect opportunity in the state” and “Arizona’s economic development.”

“Gov. Hobbs continuously preaches she wants more money for public schools, but when my bill to provide just that was sent to her desk, her response didn’t match her constant virtue signaling,” said Leach. “Vetoing SB 1050 was a missed opportunity by the governor, and it was likely driven by partisan motivations.”

- Advertisement -

Despite SB 1050 being vetoed, the state senator told The Center Square he will continue working on this area of GPLET.

Arizona ranks 49th in America in public school funding. Consumers Affairs released a report last year showing Arizona ranked dead last in America for states for public education.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Wisconsin unemployment remains 3.2% during business, consumer uncertainty

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s unemployment rate remained at...

Virginia Republican lawmaker urges Congress to protect Medicaid amid budget talks

(The Center Square) – A Virginia lawmaker joined a...

Texas House overwhelmingly passes Teacher Bill of Rights bill

(The Center Square) – The Texas House overwhelmingly passed...

Group urges Tennessee GOP to reject ‘DEI dollars’ from hospital association

(The Center Square) – Consumers’ Research has a message...

Group puts Ohio’s economic outlook as average

(The Center Square) – Ohio ranked exactly average in...

$25M proposed to cover weight loss drugs for state employees

(The Center Square) – The budget passed by the...

Landry addresses second regular session, promises insurance reform

(The Center Square) – Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry opened...

More like this
Related

Wisconsin unemployment remains 3.2% during business, consumer uncertainty

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s unemployment rate remained at...

Virginia Republican lawmaker urges Congress to protect Medicaid amid budget talks

(The Center Square) – A Virginia lawmaker joined a...

Texas House overwhelmingly passes Teacher Bill of Rights bill

(The Center Square) – The Texas House overwhelmingly passed...