Legislation would ban cities from charging home rental taxes

By BOB CHRISTIE
Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — Soaring rents across Arizona have prompted a proposal in the Legislature that would bar cities and towns from taxing on home and apartment rentals. Republican Rep. Shawnna Bolick of Phoenix says her bill will give some small relief to renters who have seen metro Phoenix rents soar from 15% to 30% in the past year. It would take effect in January. Representatives for cities say eliminating the average 2% tax charged by 71 of Arizona’s 91 cities would give little help for people who have seen their rent skyrocket. And they argued that cutting $152 million in city revenue would force cities to either raise other taxes or cut services. It passed a House committee Wednesday on a party-line vote with Democrats opposed.