Sean McCarthy of ATRA, which opposed the bill at the time, said even though Novus follows what the law allows for an athletic facilities district, the group remains “philosophically opposed” to the idea because it diverts property taxes away from local governments and school districts.
Property Tax
Phoenix Business Journal
Friday, January 25, 2019
The Arizona Republic
Thursday, January 10, 2019
The Arizona Tax Research Association has criticized ASU's real estate arrangements, saying they hurt local governments and other taxpayers. Marina Heights, for instance, avoided about $12 million in property taxes, ATRA said in 2017.
ASU State Press
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Brnovich is not alone in the criticism against the University's practice of renting land to for-profit businesses. The Arizona Tax Research Association spoke against the practice in a special report released in 2017.
National Review
Thursday, November 8, 2018
In yesterday’s Martin Center article, Sean McCarthy of the Arizona Tax Research Association explains how this has been done in his state, with Arizona State University providing the tax-exempt basis for business development.
James G Martin Center for Academic Renewal
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
https://www.jamesgmartin.center/2018/11/when-a-university-helps-a-busine...
State governments treat public university land as non-taxable because the mission of these institutions is nonprofit education. But when state legislatures aren’t careful, university administrators can take advantage of their non-profit status—at the expense of taxpayers.
The Arizona Republic
Sunday, September 30, 2018
ATRA opposed the law that created the district as it moved through the Legislature. But Sean McCarthy, ATRA’s senior research analyst, said the final version did have valuable oversight and control mechanisms, like involvement from the county board of supervisors.
The Arizona Capitol Times
Monday, June 4, 2018
Kevin McCarthy, president of ATRA, said seeking an opinion from the attorney general isn’t going to have an impact on whether Pima County officials must follow the new law.
Downtown Devil
Thursday, April 12, 2018
ATRA was also happy with the changes, congratulating Rep. Leach on Twitter: “Another unanimous vote on GPLET reform today, sending the bill upstairs to the Gov. Provides needed reform on use of property tax abatement.”
Phoenix Business Journal
Friday, February 2, 2018
https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2018/02/02/big-fight-pits-legis...
A bill making its way through the Arizona Legislature puts restrictions on real estate deals crafted by state universities.
It sets up another big political fight between the Republican Legislature and state universities — specifically Arizona State University.
The Arizona Republic
Friday, January 5, 2018
ATRA estimates that the State Farm complex, if not lent ASU’s exempt status, would be paying $12 million a year in property taxes. ATRA estimates the cost to the state of State Farm’s tax exempt status at $3.5 million a year.