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Court bars InvestInEd tax proposal from appearing on November ballot

Court bars InvestInEd tax proposal from ballot
Posted at 6:12 PM, Aug 29, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-31 01:35:45-04

The Arizona Supreme Court barred a ballot proposal seeking to raise income taxes on the wealthy to fund schools from appearing on the November ballot.

In an order Wednesday, Chief Justice Scott Bales said a majority of the court found that the measure's description of the change in tax rates creates a danger of confusion or unfairness.

The order reverses a lower-court ruling earlier this month that rejected the challenge to the measure.

Opponents said the tax hike would have harmed the state's economy, while supporters say it would have raised an estimated $690 million for schools.

The proposal sought to raise the income tax rate to 8 percent for individuals earning more than $250,000 and households earning more than $500,000 for the portion of their income above those cutoffs.

Noah Karvelis is one of the most vocal leaders of the Arizona Educators United movement. He posted this online, moments after the news was released: 

"Details coming soon. Gathering information. Hang tight. I can say though that yes, InvestInEd is off of the ballot. We appreciate the patience. We are stunned to say the very least."

Arizonans for Great Schools and a Strong Economy Chairman Jaime Molera was one of the most outspoken against Prop 207. He released the following statement in part: 

"Not only was the initiative poorly crafted, it was the wrong plan. It would have harmed all taxpayers, small businesses, and would not have delivered on its promises for teachers, while weakening education reforms that were achieved in a bipartisan fashion under Proposition 301."

Stay with ABC15 and ABC15.com for updates on the fallout from this decision.