Arizona business leader braces for tax fights after Democratic election sweep

Arizona’s top business lobbyist said Wednesday that Democrats’ sweeping election gains will set up fights over taxes and school choice, but the business community is ready to work with the new majorities.

“It was about voters holding people in Washington, D.C., and at our state accountable for their costs going up,” Danny Seiden, CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show.

Democrats lead for control of both legislative chambers, according to unofficial results, and Gov. Katie Hobbs won reelection. Seiden praised Hobbs as an economy-focused moderate.

“I don’t believe her worldview changed overnight,” he said.

What the election means for Arizona taxes

Seiden said Arizona’s requirement of a two-thirds legislative vote to raise taxes should protect recent tax cuts for now.

“You need to convince some Republicans to come over and do that. So right now, it’s going to hold,” he explained.

He predicted more battles at the ballot box over taxes and the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account voucher program.

“I hate legislating at the ballot box,” Seiden said. “I can see a lot of these fights spilling over into the referral, into the referendum.”

Still, he emphasized the chamber is ready to work with lawmakers in both parties.

“We’ll work with whoever has good ideas and fight the bad ones,” Seiden said.

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