In a 16-12 vote today, the state Senate voted to put the issue of a 1-cent sales tax increase on the May 18 ballot.

If passed by the House, Arizonans would be asked if we want to increase the sales tax to 6.6 percent.  The increase would be temporary, lasting for 3 years only, and would raise an estimated $900 million per year.

Even if the House votes to put it on the ballot and voters pass the sales tax initiative, revenues from the increase will not have any affect on this year's budget deficit.  Read more in the East Valley Tribune.