Gov. Doug Ducey is facing a philosophical compromise — extend a 0.6 cent education sales tax or let it expire.
The 2000 voter-approved Prop. 301 sales tax ends in 2020, unless voters approve its extension.
Currently, the state counts on it to cover $650 million in annual teacher’s pay.
In 2012, while state treasurer, Ducey opposed a similar temporary 1 cent sales-tax hike and allowed it to expire.
But after fighting for the passage of Proposition 123 to raise education funding, he’s not as willing to let Prop 301’s funding expire.
“We didn’t work this hard on 123 to come up on a cliff, I think that would be irresponsible,” Ducey said.
A recent education poll found 77 percent of voters surveyed would support extending the current 0.6 cent tax, and 66 percent said they’d even support raising that tax to a full penny if it were placed on the ballot.
It is up to the House speaker and Senate president to put the issue up for a public vote.
