The Vote Dean Martin

Guide to Sound Bites for the
Legislative Session

(what they really mean when they say...)

“Broaden the Tax Base” - They have raised existing taxes so much that they need to find new things to start taxing for the first time in history.

“Closing Tax Loopholes & Exemptions” -
A tax increase. (See “Broaden Tax Base”) A way to create whole new taxes, but sound like you are streamlining government.

“Revenue Bonding” - Deficit Spending. Spend tomorrow’s tax dollars today! A term used when the Arizona Constitution requires a balanced budget but you intend to spend anyway, so you issue bonds encumbering future revenues.

“Revenue Enhancements” - New taxes or the redirection of existing taxes from their original stated purpose. (See “Closing Tax Loopholes & Exemptions” or “Fund Sweeps”)

“Revenue-Sharing” - Taxation & tax distribution. A tool used to buy support of special interests by diverting a portion of new or existing tax dollars.

“Fund Sweeps” - Broken Taxpayer Promises. Also known as “Other Fund Sweeps”. The practice of raiding or stealing from a fund or tax that was established for one purpose and using those dollars for other programs. Often used instead of actual program cuts. The practice of having many “other funds” to steal from in a budget crisis can be called “Bureaucratic Portfolio Diversification”.

“The people have spoken” - Refers to a voter-passed tax increase or new spending program.

“The people did not understand” - Refers to a voter-passed limit on government.

“Institutional Knowledge” - A state of physical and mental being held by those who have been around so long they have become institutionalized. (See “The people did not understand”) Term used by Term-limited politicians who want to remove term limits.

“It's for the children” - It's really expensive.

To submit additional terms for definition please send them to soundbites@votedeanmartin.com