A bill scheduled to be heard by the Arizona Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee would shed sunlight on bonding across Arizona. Among other provisions, HB 2079, if passed, HB 2079 requires all materials for an election to authorize indebtedness include the words “property tax measure” to describe the bond in question.
The sunlight generated by the bill would allow citizens to make better informed decisions.
According to the legislative overview: “Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statues (A.R.S.) § 35-452 the governing body or a political subdivision board (Subdivision) may order an election to determine whether indebtedness is authorized. Subdivisions must order an election if a petition is signed by fifteen percent of qualified electors and may become indebted if a majority of voters approve the indebtedness. Bond counsel, financial advisory, printing, agent and registrar expenses are to be paid from the amount authorized by the electors or from current operating funds. Bond election expenses shall only be paid from current operating funds.
Currently, A.R.S. § 35-454 requires a Subdivision to mail an information pamphlet to every registered voter’s household at least 35 days prior to an election for indebtedness. Pamphlets are required to have information such as the amount of money the bond authorizes, the maximum interest rate, the estimated retirement schedule for current bonds, and the estimated retirement schedule for proposed bond.
However, too many people do not realize they are agreeing to an increase in their property taxes. This simple piece of legislation provides that key information.
Sunlight advocates on both sides of the political aisle are strongly supporting this bill.
To be heard by the legislators on this bill and others:
First, one must register at the State Capitol. After that, one may log in as often as desired, using one’s home computer. Once registered, you may proceed as follows:
1. At your home computer, go to www.azleg.gov This will take you to the legislature’s main page
2. Scroll to the lower left of page, under “General Information”, and click on “Request to Speak”.
3. Type in your e mail address and password. Press Enter. This will take you to the RTS Home page.
4. Choose your next action from the menu on the left-hand side of main page. Most of the time you will be choosing “New Request”.
5. To register an opinion on a scheduled bill, click on “New Request”. The screen that comes up gives you various search options, but the easiest and fastest way to go is to enter the bill number at “Search Phrase”, then click on the “search” button.
6. The table that comes up will tell you everything you need to know about the bill you are interested in. On the far right you will see an “add request” button. Click on that to proceed.
7. Choose your position from the three provided: For, Neutral, or Against. Next, choose whether you actually want to be present at the hearing and speak. Your choices are: Yes, No, or Only if Necessary. Most of the time you will be choosing “No”.
8. Next go to the comments section and state your opinions. Keep in mind these are public comments, for the record. Everyone has access to these comments. Any thing you say can and will be used against you in the court of public opinion.
9. Next, click on “Submit” and you are done. Now you can start the process again for the next bill you wish to render an opinion on.