The Grand Canyon Institute released a report on the impact of the state's 2.5% flat tax, since it was enacted by former Gov. Doug Ducey and implemented in 2023.
The report shows notably negative effects on education funding, including lost financial aid, larger classes and most recently a tuition surcharge for Arizona State University students. Research director Dave Wells says the flat tax is also what led to major state budget cuts.
"It’s a $2 billion cut that mostly went all to wealthy people. We estimate about 70% of it went to people whose income exceeds $200,000," Wells said.
Wells also says the report shows that with the flat tax in place, Arizona schools and universities will not be funded properly.
More Arizona education news
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Pam Lach is a digital humanities librarian at San Diego State University. This week, she is coming to ASU to give a talk called “The Stories We Still Need: Podcasting For Urgent Times.” -
A group of students and faculty from Northern Arizona University are sending four cameras into space Sunday. The cameras are part of NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars. -
A recent survey from the Arizona Department of Education says more than 1,000 Arizona teachers have quit their jobs since July, and 4,200 positions are being filled temporarily. -
A West Valley school board member is suing her own district, claiming her fellow board members violated the law by censuring her over allegations that she “humiliated” employees and displayed other unprofessional behavior. -
Most school districts rely largely on local property taxes to fund teacher salaries and building upgrades. But school districts like Chinle that include Native American reservations, military bases or other federal compounds have fewer options for raising local taxes for education.
