Legislature to propose fund to donate tax refunds to state

PHOENIX -- So you think state government is a financial bargain? Or that lawmakers aren't spending enough?
Sen. Dean Martin has a proposal just for you: The Phoenix Republican wants to create the "I Didn't Pay Enough'' fund where taxpayers can make donations to the state treasury.
He even plans to make it easy: It would add a new line on state income tax forms where those so inclined can designate a portion of any income tax refunds to this fund. That's a fairly large pool: Most Arizonans get refunds because they have too much withheld from their paychecks.
Martin, leader of a group of legislators who pledged never to raise taxes, said the proposal really isn't a joke.
"Every year there's always somebody out there complaining they don't pay enough taxes,'' he said. Those comments usually arise when one group or another says the Legislature should spend more on some favored program.
"Rather than take money from every taxpayer out there, for those who think they're not contributing enough, there's now an easy way to contribute more to the state,'' he said.
Martin conceded his new fund would not allow taxpayers to earmark their donations for specific programs. Instead, they would be giving the money to the same legislators who they may have complained have the wrong priorities.
"Obviously, they can lobby for where those dollars should go,'' he said.
The measure is guaranteed a hearing this session: It is assigned to the Senate Finance Committee -- which is chaired by Martin.
So how many people does he really expect to donate?
"Fifty,'' he responded without hesitating. And he expects total collections to hit about $5,000.