OPINION: Arizona isn’t broke—it’s being robbed

Every year around Tax Day, we hear the same tired story: “Arizona just doesn’t have enough money.” Lawmakers wring their hands about budget shortfalls, while proposing cuts to schools, healthcare, and housing—again.

But the truth is, Arizona isn’t broke. It’s being robbed.

For years, politicians have drained our public coffers with tax cuts for billionaires and mega-corporations. Former Gov. Doug Ducey’s flat tax scheme gutted Arizona’s ability to invest in the services we all rely on—public schools, AHCCCS/Medicaid, housing programs, and even basic infrastructure.

On top of that, Ducey pushed through a deeply flawed universal private school voucher program that siphons millions away from public schools to subsidize wealthy families, without transparency or accountability. His decisions, cheered on by special interests, handed billions to the rich while leaving working families with less at every turn.

Now, MAGA Republicans are doubling down. They’re not just proposing more tax breaks—they’re openly pushing to defund the government itself. That means cuts to government services that serve the needs of the people, like public education, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and AHCCCS, all while scapegoating immigrants and dividing our communities with fear.

This isn’t just policy failure—it’s highway robbery, plain and simple.

And the cost is being felt across Arizona.

Take Johann Sproule, a retired mine worker from Douglas, Arizona. He worked physically demanding jobs for 45 years, yet found himself struggling to afford essential medications and healthcare due to challenges navigating the healthcare system.

“Every month I had to choose between buying necessary medications or paying for utilities and food,” Johann said.

“Due to miscommunications and delays between healthcare providers and Medicare, I went two months without critical healthcare. I regained coverage only after personally addressing the issue with the relevant parties.”

Johann isn’t asking for special treatment. He’s asking for what all of us deserve: a fair chance to live a healthy, stable life in the state we call home.

That’s why we’re organizing. Because it’s time to stop the lies, stop the cuts, and stop the kickbacks to the ultra-rich. It’s time to build a People-First Economy—one that puts working families at the center.

We believe budgets should reflect our values: justice, care, equity, and opportunity. That means fully funded public schools. Strong, accessible healthcare. Paid family and medical leave for all. Affordable housing and climate resilience. 

And yes—making the rich pay what they owe in taxes.

Public dollars should serve the public good—not deportation machines, billionaire bank accounts, or endless corporate loopholes.

The MAGA agenda in Arizona is clear: reward the rich, criminalize the poor, and keep working people divided. But we see through it. And we’re rising up.

This May 5th, community members from across Arizona are showing up at the State Capitol to demand a budget that works for us. Not for Trump. Not for Ducey. Not for Elon Musk or big corporations—but for the people who keep this state running every single day.

We are teachers, janitors, healthcare workers, small business owners, and immigrants. We are the people Arizona’s economy is built on. And we’re done being robbed.

We want an Arizona where everyone, no matter their race, zip code, or immigration status, has the freedom to thrive. The money is there. The only question is: Will we keep letting it be stolen? Or will we rise up and demand what’s ours?

The answer starts now.