On Monday, Republican legislators highlighted what they say is “inflation relief” heading to Arizona families this month in the form of family tax rebates.
The Arizona Department of Revenue will start sending rebates to about 750,000 Arizona families beginning October 30.
“Out-of-control inflation has impacted Arizona families. Families are suffering from high gas prices, surging housing costs, increasing energy costs and everything in between,” said Arizona State Senate President Warren Petersen.
“Many of our citizens have picked up second jobs to offset rising prices. Many of them have skipped family vacations this year,” continued Petersen. “Many of them have had to take in family members because it is hard times. Many people have for the very first time had to turn to food banks to provide food for their families.”
“When you are raising five daughters, they’re really hungry. That is a lot we have to pay for, and the fact that we have had so much inflation hasn’t helped out. Then we have to buy their clothing, school supplies, even health care. Everything has been going up so much, including gas,” said Tatiana Peña, an activist and mother of five daughters.
“Regardless of political leanings, the food bank has seen a lot of folks coming – especially now with inflation. It’s actually more people than we saw during the pandemic two or three years ago. We are seeing a lot of first-time folks,” stated Jerry Brown, a director with St. Mary’s Food Bank.
The Democrat Caucus was surprisingly silent on the subject, focusing energy on the campaign to eliminate Arizona’s school choice program.
According to data released by Common Sense Institute in June, the typical Arizona household had spent a combined $21,266 more on food, housing, transportation, medical care, and other goods and services since the end of 2020.
Arizona Families Tax Rebate Provides Critical Financial Relief from Difficult Economic Times