Forget immigration, the big challenge for Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is a tax increase

Arizona's political class is spending the next few days wondering whether a fateful decision made by Gov. Jan Brewer will make or break her governorship.

No, not the controversial immigration law the governor signed last month that effectively makes Arizona police enforce immigration law -- which is wildly popular in the state and has little downside for Brewer. Instead, on Tuesday, voters will decide whether to follow her recommendations and do what is unthinkable in this conservative state: raise taxes.

Proposition 100, which is Brewer's baby, calls for a three-year 1-cent sales tax hike that is expected to generated $1 billion annually. That would patch the remaining hole in this state's rickety budget. Brewer argues that additional cuts will gut schools and public safety programs already reeling from big reductions last year.

Arizona has the 41st lowest tax burden in the nation, but Brewer's proposal split her own Republican Party, and it took months for the GOP-controlled Legislature to even agree to put it on the ballot. Brewer now has 20-plus challengers in the gubernatorial primary in August, largely because of her advocacy for the tax hike.

That's not to say Brewer's completely ignoring immigration. On Friday she announced the creation of a task force to try to rehabilitate Arizona's public image, fight back against a growing boycott of the state and counter what she called "mistruths" about the law.

-- Nicholas Riccardi

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Photo: Gov. Jan Brewer in April signs Arizona's new law to control illegal immigration. Credit: Associated Press.

Comments

[Ross]

There is, of course, a direct link between the sales tax referendum and the immigration enforcement initiatives. Legal Mexican tourists spend billions of dollars each year in Arizona. That sales tax revenue, along with taxes paid by visitors from elsewhere in the United States, will be sharply reduced. A tax increase is needed, just to stay even.

[Dane Beito]

I think the L.A. Times needs to lay the hell off, and start siding with the U.S.A. Maybe boycot the news paper that sides with all that is againced the U.S.A. and its people.

[Brittanicus]

Doesn't matter what Sarah Palin thinks about the Arizona law, or any politician or anything Washington has to say about it. It's what the majority of what the American People want? What the People want is No--ARMESTY and follow the 1986 Immigration laws. We have been decieved for years by the corrupt, who run with the open border lobbyists. Learn about legislators have catered to illegal aliens at NumbersUSA. NO MORE INCUMBENTS Like Pro-Amnesty lawmakers such as Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) Send Washingtron a message.
Oh! President Obama! Build the--REAL--double fence. Don't underfund the border fence, as it is the most paramount enforcementtool for America's survival

[Jgonz25]

More will boycott, let the government do its job. Profiling is what will happen even if you say it wont. I support the Arizona boycott.

[MadMommy4u]

When the dust settles, Arizona will need more money to keep their state a float, but believe me they are on the right track when they eliminate half a million illegal immigrants from the social service lines in the state, it will lighten their load considerably in the coming years.

California, Texas and New Mexico will see an influx of illegal immigrants coming in and registering their kids in the public schools, housing subsidies and welfare rolls. Get ready to count how many come in because they are on their way right now before the law goes into effect.

Certainly thousands of illegal immigrants are waiting to hear if the lawsuits filed will stop enforcement, but most already understand that Arizona doesn't want them there and have made plans to leave.

Every state that gets thousands of illegal immigrants moving in will be faced with the same problem, How to deal with the impoverished families who drain the social safety net to be here illegally. With 12.7% unemployment in California, not sure who's job they will try to get, maybe when it's YOUR job, you won't want them here either.

For everyone who is out of work right now and is wondering how to pay their mortgage and feed their family, you better learn to speak Spanish because the only jobs available now seem to require it.

[Steve Rodriguez]

Jan Brewer for Gov. of California! She has my vote!!!!!

[Brittanicus]

Build the--REAL--Fence(s) Not the half built construction they have deceived the American public with? The--REAL--fence is TWO FENCES. The first one separating American sovereignty from Mexico, than a 1000 yard gap. After which another equally high chain-link fence with its top covered with razor wire. The 2000 mile border fence designed by Rep.Duncan Hunter is now an albatross to the Obama government that cut-off funding to further its construction. This suggests to me their was no endeavor to actually complete the--REAL BORDER FENCES? The ideology behind this was the no-mans land for the US Border Patrol to have instant contact with unauthorized entry between both barrier fences on a two lane track.

This is a sad response of our own government to stop drug smugglers and the movement of foreign nationals spilling across the border. This underfunding and intentional refusal to construct the fencing to foreign nationals, has caused the chronic mess in the Border state of Arizona. Unable to suffer the indignities of unparalleled rising crime rate cause by the influx of illegal aliens, Arizona has been forced into this position to benefit its legal residents with a harsh new law. Decide for yourself, whether to combat illegal immigration in the coming months. Learn who should and should not be reelected in future elections at NumbersUSA. Everybody should remember that Sen.Harry Reid (D-NV) has been a chief instigator of shoving Immigration overhaul down our throats and--MUST--be removed from office, so he cannot do any more damage with his pro-amnesty friends. Further--realize the Arizona immigration policing law, is no different from Federal laws and neither the ACLU, or any other anti-American open border entity will not stop the inception of Arizona statutes. The issue is now boiling over and stupid California (The Sanctuary State) boycotts are having a backlash and although much of the Liberal oriented press have done the bidding of ethnocentrism caucuses, public opinion is proving Arizona policies are correct. Other states are carefully perusing Arizona law and will be drafting similar laws when assemblies are in session.

[Ted R.]

Jan Brewer is a fascist. She should go to jail for taking away Arizona's democracy and turning it to a fascist police state. She is inept and has done a poor job as governor. She lied to Arizonans when she told them the bill will not cripple their state economically. Just look at all the groups and states that are boycotting Arizona. Not to mention no one will ever take Arizona seriously again thanks to Brewer, McCain and Palin.

[Steve Rodriguez]

China shoots and kills its illegals, Arizona merely sends them on their way home!!!!

[Brewsky]

Her biggest challenge is that constant community college alcoholic tilt of her neck/head and the sharpei face that she sports.

Those are her biggest challenges...

[GoAz]

prop 100 is popular with conservatives because it shares the burden. Now the freeloaders have to pay for illegal immigration instead of putting all the burden on those who pay Social Security taxes, property taxes, and income taxes. Of course the liberal rags around the state are against this proposition because it is too regressive against those who suck our resourses dry.