Epstein, Kuby, Community Organizations call to ‘Stop Bills for Billionaires’

PHOENIX –  The Arizona State Legislature, under the Republican majority’s leadership, has left working-class Arizonans behind in favor of billionaire-class handouts. Tomorrow, Saturday, April 12th from 10am-Noon in the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza (across the street from the capitol) Arizona State Senators Epstein, Kuby, and community organizations will rally to call for a STOP to bills being passed for the benefit of billionaires.

Bill to be highlighted at the Rally: SB1407, SB1371, SB1331, SB1318, SB1298, SB1126, SB1085, SB1026, SB1015, HB2918, HB2704, HB2635, HB2601, HB2389, HB2082, HB2081, HB2009.

Arizona State Senator Lauren Kuby (LD8) stated, “Republican legislatures are pushing tax exemptions for owners of Learjets and Cessnas (SB 1085) and demanding over $10M in public funds for the private racehorse industry (SB1126). I say Neigh! Arizona cannot afford any more tax giveaways to the wealthy, especially given the threats of federal funding cuts that will cripple our schools and healthcare systems.”  

Arizona State Senator Mitzi Epstein (LD12) stated, "These bills are not economic development. Economic development should be an investment that has a good ROI, that is– the “Get” for the public should be better than the “Give” the taxpayers pay.  These bad bills are subsidies from the middle class to the wealthiest few, the “zillionaires” and big corporations.  Taxpayers give more than they get with these bad deals.  To bills that ratchet down revenue, bills that bailout billionaires, and bills that support criminal crypto drug cartels, We say "Stop!"

Magdalena Acosta, Field Director with Worker Power, added, “This legislative session, renters in Arizona have called for rent control, a ban on short-term rentals, and more affordable housing, but Republicans have passed bills like a tax break for people who own private jets. Workers speak out about the need for protection from extreme heat and discrimination, and protection for tipped workers, but the Republican majority hears bills about racehorse funds. What we have seen from the Republican majority in this State Legislature is over and over again, they prioritize the wealthiest people in Arizona at the expense of our working families. That is not good government.”

Osvaldo Alvarez, Organizer at LUCHA, added, “Valerie is doing everything right—and the system is doing everything wrong. While Republicans pass handouts for billionaires, mothers like Valerie are scraping by just to keep their children alive. We demand an Arizona where public budgets serve the public good, not billionaire greed.”  

Blake Lister, Opportunity Arizona, stated, “Arizonans want affordable healthcare and a lower cost of living—not tax cuts for the rich. But with cuts to Medicaid and private jet tax cuts for the rich in Arizona, it’s clear extremist lawmakers at the state and federal level are out of touch with the real needs of working families. Rising costs are forcing working people to make difficult financial tradeoffs, like skipping essential prescription medication simply because it is too expensive, while the ultra-wealthy get MORE tax cuts that will devastate essential healthcare programs. With a looming recession, Opportunity Arizona will not stand by and let billionaires rake in record profits while working Arizonans struggle to afford groceries and access quality healthcare.”

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