Arizona’s legislative leaders have formed a Legislative Task Force on Income Tax Reform. The primary focus of the Task Force will be the reform of Arizona’s existing personal income tax system.
Legislators say they hope to create a simple, predictable, fair and transparent system for all Arizona taxpayers.
Senator Yarbrough stated, “It’s been a long time since the legislature has taken a close look at the personal income tax system. I’m looking forward to working with the other members of the task force, exploring all the possible reforms that could help Arizonans.”
The task force will meet up to twice a month from August through December, 2013, and subsequently make policy recommendations to the 51st Legislature with which to draft legislation in the 2014 session.
“Recently, Arizona has made great strides on the road to becoming the nation’s most desirable place in which to live and do business, but the journey never ends,” Speaker Pro Tempore Mesnard stated. “I am confident that through this collaboration between small business owners, tax experts, economists and elected officials, we’ll be able to develop fiscal policies to help our state realize its full economic potential.”
The members of the task force are as follows:
Senator Steve Yarbrough (R-Dist. 17) – Co-Chair
Speaker Pro Tempore J.D. Mesnard (R-Dist.17) – Co-Chair
Representative Debbie Lesko (R-Dist. 21)
Representative Bruce Wheeler (D-Dist. 10)
Senator Kelli Ward (R-Dist. 5)
Senator Steve Farley (D-Dist. 9)
Kevin McCarthy, President – Arizona Tax Research Association
Farrell Quinlan, Arizona State Director – National Federation of Independent Businesses
Aimee Rigler, Executive Director – Small Business Alliance
Barry Broome, President & CEO – Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Stephen Slivinski, Senior Economist – Goldwater Institute
Peggy Ullmann, Certified Public Accountant – Ullmann and Company, P.C.
Jim Rounds, Senior Vice President and Senior Economist – Elliott D. Pollack and Company