PCC Chancellor Commends Arizona Voters for Approving Sales Tax Increase

May 19, 2010

Tucson, AZ – Pima Community College (PCC) Chancellor Dr. Roy Flores today commended the “resolve and wisdom” of Arizonans for yesterday approving Proposition 100, a temporary sales tax increase that will help fund public education.

“In raising taxes on themselves, voters sent an unmistakable message to Arizona lawmakers and to the nation that public education is a top priority in Arizona,” Dr. Flores said in an e-mail to PCC employees.

Proposition 100 will raise the state sales tax by one cent per dollar for the next three years. The tax increase will produce an additional $700 million to $900 million in annual state revenue, most of which will fund K-12 and postsecondary education.

Had Proposition 100 failed, the state would have reduced its Fiscal Year 2011 appropriation to PCC by 10 percent.

In the e-mail, Dr. Flores noted that passage of the tax does not mean the College will receive additional money in FY 2011, only that it will not have to absorb a further cut in appropriations. He also noted that passing Proposition 100 does not remedy Arizona’s serious systemic budget problems.

“However, by approving Proposition 100, voters recognized that knowledge remains the foundation of prosperity,” Dr. Flores said. “Given that Arizonans, like all Americans, are attempting to recover from the worst economic turmoil since the Great Depression, their resolve and wisdom are commendable.”

CONTACT:
A. Rachelle Howell, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing,
(520) 206-4850