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Hundreds gather to lobby legislature for sales tax increase

Arizona Summer Wildcat

Action on bill stalled in special session

PHOENIX-With sweat and enthusiasm dripping from their foreheads, more than 300 people attended a rally in-front of the state Capitol to get their point across.

Funding for education in Arizona is lacking.

"Arizona is not playing the game, they will become an economic backwater unless they step up and compete," said Greg Fahey, University of Arizona spokesman. "If the tax is approved, the universities will get $40 million to $50 million in the first year."

Arizona Gov. Jane Hull spoke to the crowd and then to the legislators inside. Hull called yesterday's special session to push her bill that would increase the state sales tax 0.6 percent.

The funds raised by the tax increase would then be funneled into the state's educational system. Ten percent would be given the university system.

Hull needs the legislators votes to get the proposition placed on the November ballot so the voters can decide.

"This (rally) sends the message that we are taking the support for higher education from the state legislature and putting it into the people's hands, it lets the people choose," said Ben Graff, Associated Students President. "Retaining talent is a problem - we lose professors and administrators and that's the state's problem."

Rep. Susan Gerard, R-Phoenix, said that the proposition has the votes in the Senate - where Hull will likely introduce it - but doesn't have the same support in the house where Speaker Jeff Groscost, R-Mesa, has proposed an alternate plan.

"I just don't see him (Groscost) agreeing to this," Gerard said.

The legislature will be back in session on Thursday where the proposition will likely be introduced, but Gerard said there is not definite time when this could be decided.

"We could get the damn thing done tomorrow if they wanted to," Gerard said.

If Hull does not get the votes required to put the sales tax hike on the ballot, she will have to go to the voters to get signatures for it to be placed on the ballot.

While it is not certain when the legislature will decide, Fahey said that expects that something could happen as soon as Monday.

Whether it will be in favor of the sales tax is pending the representatives votes.

"I'm never optimistic when dealing with the legislature," Fahey. "I'm modestly hopeful."