The Brief
- Gov. Katie Hobbs proposed a new $3.50 nightly fee on short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo to bankroll the Arizona Affordability Fund, an initiative aimed at helping struggling residents pay utility bills and lower housing costs.
- The plan launched with an initial $20 million investment, drawing mixed reactions from rental hosts who generally viewed the fee as a minor expense but questioned its potential long-term impact on tourist spending during Arizona’s peak event season.
PHOENIX – Gov. Katie Hobbs outlined a plan Monday to establish the Arizona Affordability Fund, a relief program designed to help residents struggling with the rising cost of living.
What we know:
Under the proposal, funding for the initiative would come from out-of-town visitors through a new $3.50 nightly fee on short-term rentals, such as Airbnb and Vrbo.…