Category: Taxes

Katie Hobbs says repealing rental tax would “cripple cities”

PHOENIX — Democratic Governor-elect Katie Hobbs acknowledged during a Wednesday interview that she will oppose legislative efforts to prohibit local jurisdictions from levying rental taxes.

Asked about Republican lawmakers who want to “get rid of the rental tax,” the governor-elect expressed concern that such a proposal would reduce the government’s revenue.

“It’s something to talk about, but it was a core part of my former opponent’s plan and it’s something that would really cripple cities in terms of their ability to provide public safety for their residents and not something that would provide significant relief for those renters,” Hobbs said on Arizona PBS.

She appeared more open to a follow-up question about “a complete ban of the food tax,” stating that “I’m not going to say no to anything if there’s a way to provide relief for Arizonans.” The Democrat added that the Arizona Commerce Authority “has done a lot to attract business” through “tax incentives” but that the state should not be “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Hobbs pledged to taxpayers during her campaign victory speech in November that she would “put more money back in your pockets” as governor.

In victory speech, Katie Hobbs finally acknowledges ‘border crisis’ and ‘skyrocket’ inflation under Joe Biden

PHOENIX — Democratic Governor-elect Katie Hobbs delivered a speech to campaign supporters November 15 declaring victory in the Arizona gubernatorial race.

In the speech, Hobbs acknowledged the “skyrocket” inflation that has occurred under the Biden administration — including “rising costs on housing and groceries” — and told taxpayers that she will “put more money back in your pockets” as governor. She also pledged to “provide our border communities with the resources they need” and conceded that there is, in fact, “a border crisis” in Arizona, backtracking from a June 2021 interview with 3TV’s Dennis Welch during which Hobbs had demurred when asked if problems at the border constituted a “crisis.”

Hobbs then praised her Democratic successor, stating, “I’m thrilled to know that I will be handing the keys of the Secretary of State’s Office to Adrian Fontes.”