The Supreme Court of Arizona found 5–2 on Aug. 19 that a referendum backed by organized labor aimed at blocking a planned $2 billion per year state-level income tax cut violated the state constitution.
On April 21, the court overturned a lower court ruling allowing the referendum to move forward but had not explained the reasoning behind its decision until now.
A 2020 referendum to hike taxes on high earners and boost education spending was previously struck down by state courts.
The Arizona Constitution allows voters to prevent legislature-approved laws from taking effect by challenging them in a referendum. They have to collect the signatures of at least 5 percent of qualified voters to place the matter on the ballot….