Arizona’s Tax Future Is on the Ballot

Special-interest drives to raise taxes are relentless, and democratic guard rails can be an important taxpayer defense. That’s the logic behind Arizona’s effort to raise the threshold for tax increases by vote. Passing it would help steer the state off the well-worn path to fiscal serfdom.

The proposal will appear as a voting measure in November and give voters a chance to set a higher bar for raising tax rates. If passed, it would change the state constitution to require a 60% majority to increase taxes through a future referendum. Current law requires a two-thirds majority to levy taxes by law, but only a simple majority to do so by popular vote.