KJZZ 91.5 FM
March 3, 2010
Steve Goldstein

Here and Now examined school budget override elections scheduled for March 9th. Host Steve Goldstein spoke to Tracey Benson of the Arizona School Boards Association and Justin Olson of the Arizona Tax Research Association. Goldstein also spoke with Goldwater Institute's Matt Ladner about schools making due with current funding levels.

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The Arizona Republic
March 2, 2010
Sherry Anne Rubiano

Justin Olson, senior research analyst at the Arizona Tax Research Association, said school districts like Dysart will have real challenges going to the ballot this month. “In this case, the voters have already spoken with a very strong voice that they don't want this override,” Olson said.

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The Arizona Capitol Times
February 23, 2010
Griselda Nevarez, Cronkite News Service

Justin Olson, senior research analyst for the Arizona Tax Research Association, said the bill isn’t clear enough about how taxpayer money would be split between high school districts and higher-education programs. “We don’t want students to be double-counted when it comes to being funded by the state,” he said.

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The Arizona Republic
February 11, 2010
Emily Gersema

Tax watchdog organizations oppose easing the cap. "This bill will set a precedent that the reduction of that debt limit can be overlooked with a bill at the Legislature," said Justin Olson, senior research analyst for the Arizona Tax Research Association.

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The Arizona Republic
November 5, 2009
Alex Bloom

Experts say the economic downturn probably made voters think twice about approving many budget overrides... "There have been record job losses, record home foreclosures and apparently they're sending the message that they don't think government ought to be insulated either," said Justin Olson, senior research analyst...

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The Arizona Republic
October 20, 2009
Justin Olson

Regardless of one's views on the amount of funding taxpayers provide districts and charter schools, most can agree that double counting results in an inequitable distribution of available resources and inappropriately favors those who game the system.

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The Arizona Republic
May 31, 2009
Alex Bloom

Justin Olson, an analyst at the Arizona Tax Research Association, criticized the increased levy. Foreclosures, depressed home values and fewer new homes suggest that property-tax increases will hit harder than in previous years.

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The Arizona Republic
May 17, 2009
Pat Kossan

"Per unit, if you want to look at it from a purely business perspective, we are efficient," said Justin Olson, a research analyst for the Arizona Tax Research Association. "The school that has the higher student-to-teacher ratio, the school that understands this premise, is probably paying its teachers better and is getting the better, the more sought after, teacher."

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