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Jan 19 - Feb 1, 2019 | www.SanTanSun.com
Chandler lawmaker challenging Ducey tax plan BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
State Sen. J.D. Mesnard
A Chandler legislator is gearing up for a fight with Gov. Doug Ducey as state revenue officials prepare new individual income tax forms with changes in law demanded by the governor that will take an additional $170 million or more out of the pockets of Arizonans even though the legislature has yet to consider them. State Sen. J.D. Mesnard, a Republican representing the district that includes south Chandler, vowed to beat back Ducey’s directive to the state Department of Revenue to craft the forms and instructions that “conform’’ Arizona tax laws to Congress’ changes in the Internal Revenue Code. The goal is to ensure that state tax forms will be available both online and in paper by Jan. 28, the first day that federal tax forms can be filed. But that presumes that lawmakers
actually vote to give Ducey what he wants. And that could prove to be an uphill fight for the governor, given the price tag. Conformity is designed to make the filing of state tax forms easier, as Arizona residents can use the same definitions and figure from the federal tax forms for income and deductions. In prior years those conformity bills have gone through without much debate. But Mesnard said this isn’t some simple tweak this year. He cited figures from legislative and revenue staffers that show conforming this year would mean a big boost in what some state residents owe. Mesnard, who moved to the Senate and now chairs the Finance Committee, said he will fight Ducey’s plan as an unfair “windfall’’ for the state at the expense of Arizona taxpayers. What that means is that those who use See
TAX on page 9
Gov. Doug Ducey
African-American auctioneer breaks racial boundaries BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor
Special to SanTan Sun News
The Cays in Ocotillo is among a number of multifamily complexes that are adding units in Chandler.
City booming with multifamily complexes BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor
Anyone looking for an apartment in Chandler before they are ready to buy a house has plenty of choices – with more on the way. Chandler saw 3,200 multi-family housing units recently completed in
the city and about 2,000 units are under construction, according to Micah Miranda, city economic development director. The city had 28,690 apartments, townhomes and condominiums already built as of last May, city planner Susan Fiala said. See
APARTMENTS on page 5
Ready to Give Yourselves More Room to Grow? If you’re thinking about your next move, finance first with Bell. Visit joelterrill.com to get started. Nallely Gutierrez - NMLS #1665024 Malorie Hessler - NMLS #1460243 Joel Terrill - NMLS #255385
A savvy, smooth-talking auctioneer with a strong sense of humor, charisma and a background as an actor and musician is breaking boundaries as one of the nation’s first African American auctioneers. Rowlan Hill of Chandler, co-owner of Blue Leaf Estate Auctions, has sold almost everything under the sun including cattle, chickens, geese, cars, TV stands, sofas, ash trays and sports jerseys in his 33 years as an auctioneer. Considered a world-champion auctioneer, the native Californian studied music at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and pursued a career as an actor and musician prior to getting serious about his current craft. Hill works his magic trying to sell a variety of items through estate auctions as co-owner of Blue Leaf Estate Auctions. But Hill, 55, does not consider himself a trailblazer in terms of paving the way for other African Americans in his See
AUCTIONEER on page 8
Kimberly Carrrillo/Staff Photographer
Chandler auctioneer Rowlan Hill is one of only about 50 African-Americans who practice his craft. He’s considered a world-class auctioneer.
F E AT U R E STO R I E S
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Chandler’s tallest office building opens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMMUNITY . . . . . . Page 13 New pet business pampers pooches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . . Page 28 Chandler High football coach leaving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SPORTS . . . . . . . . . Page 39 Girl Scout cookie time has arrived . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . . . Page 44 Legendary Shirley MacLaine visiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . Page 57 New brewery fuses suds and meats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EAT . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 69
Community . . . . .01-27 Business . . . . . . . .28-33 Sports . . . . . . . . . .34-41 Opinion. . . . . . . . 42-43 Neighbors. . . . . . 44-56 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . .57-62 Faith. . . . . . . . . . . 63-64 Classifieds. . . . . . 65-67 Where to Eat . . . 69-70