Two-faced

In the past I have criticized the Republican leadership in the legislature for not having vision and for not doing their due diligence before they act. For example, during this past legislative session, they passed more than 250 bills, but not one had to do with meaningful job creation. This should be our priority as we work to bring our economy back from the recession. The legislature can facilitate our economic recovery in many ways through bills passed…. and yet, no action. Instead, what took precedence was passing such bills as giving Eagle Scouts free fishing licenses – and hearing debate then voting down amendments to do the same for Girl Scouts. As an Eagle Scout, I appreciate the gesture, but it does absolutely nothing to improve our state and our economy in the long term. Legislative short-sightedness will undermine our economic resurgence even as some segments are beginning to see positive signs.

According to a majority of Republican legislators, one way to help the economy is through no tax increases or new taxes. Many signed a pledge not to raise taxes. Period. But after reading the article in the Arizona Republic published August 5, Arizona Homeowners Face Tax Hike after Move by Legislature, it appears that these legislators also are two-faced. By approving a measure tucked in an education budget bill, legislators have shifted $70 million that the state shouldered via the “homeowners rebate” over to school districts, many of whom will now have to raise local property taxes to cover what will no longer be coming from the state.

On the one side, many Republicans legislators have taken an oath not to raise taxes, but on the other, they voted to raise property taxes for homeowners. Make no mistake – by the time this takes effect, it will look like the school district is increasing taxes, not the legislature. I am not opposed to voters having the ability to increase a school district’s budget through overrides, but this instance occurred in the dark and without the voters’ knowledge or approval. And the districts will look like the villains.

If a legislator makes a promise and then cannot keep it, voters are at least owed an explanation. In this case, most voters found out about the reversal of the pledge months after the action was taken and by reading it in the paper. We need lawmakers who are open and honest and do their jobs. Two-faced individuals need not apply – and should not be elected.